England sensationally qualified for the quarter-finals of the World Cup, after defeating Mexico 3-2 early Monday at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City in what was called the best game since England won the World Cup in 1966.
The English were one man down after Jarell Quansah was sent off in the 54th minute for a dangerous foul on Jesús Gallardo.
The match was extremely disputed, with the two teams fighting hard to qualify for the quarterfinals.
Jude Bellingham stunned the crowd of more than 80,000 at a venue where Mexico was unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches, including three this year, when he scored on a header in the 36th minute and again in the 38th on a pass from Kane.
The Mexicans came back with a goal from Quiñones in the 42nd minute. .
In the 54th minute, England were down to 10, after Quansah was sent off.
But then England captain Harry Kane gave the country another goal after converting a penalty in the 60th minute.
Minutes later, the same Kane fouled Gutierrez giving Mexico a penalty, which Jimenez converted it the 69th minute.
It made him the first player since at least 1966 to score and concede a penalty in a World Cup game.
Mexico attacked relentlessly over the final 21 minutes, plus 11 minutes of stoppage time, but goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and England’s defenders held steady and eliminated one of the hosts of the World Cup.
Mexico: Rangel – Sánchez (Fidalgo – 79), Montes (Álvarez – 46), Vázquez, Gallardo – Mora (Giménez – 61), Lira, Romo (Gutierrez – 61) – Alvarado, Jiménez, Quiñones (Martínez – 81). Head coach: Javier Aguirre
England: Pickford – Quansah, Konsa, Guéhi, O’Reilly (Spence – 74) – Anderson (Burn – 75), Rice, Bellingham – Saka (Stones – 57), Kane (Rogers – 90), Gordon. Head coach: Thomas Tuchel
The match started one hour late due to bad weather.
The match was refereed by Australian Alireza Faghani.
In the quarterfinals, England will play in the company of Norway, who eliminated Brazil.
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