England are into the quarter-finals of the World Cup after one of the most dramatic nights in their history. The Three Lions overcame Mexico 3-2 in the cauldron of the Azteca thanks to two goals from Jude Bellingham and a Harry Kane penalty. But England were forced to play almost the entire second half with 10 men after Jarell Quansah was sent off for a horror tackle.
Match Summary
Bellingham's first-half brace put England 2-0 up before Julian Quinones pulled one back for Mexico. Kane scored from the spot after Quansah's red card to restore the two-goal lead. Raul Jimenez then also scored from 12 yards and England clung on for more than half an hour to book a place in the last eight against Norway.
Player Ratings
England
- Jordan Pickford 8 - Brilliant first half saves from Raul Jimenez but could do nothing about the Mexico striker's penalty.
- Jarell Quansah 5 - Sent off after a brutal challenge on Jesus Gallardo. Had been enjoying such a good game.
- Ezri Konsa 7 - Another shaky game in central defence and was then switched to right back to hold fort.
- Marc Guehi 8 - So calm under pressure - and there was one hell of a lot of pressure.
- Nico O'Reilly 7 - Hit the post with a brilliant low shot. Went off injured after a very mixed bag of a game.
- Declan Rice 8 - Booked after 59 seconds and is clearly nowhere near full fitness - but what a shift. Hero.
- Elliot Anderson 8 - Worked so hard and hard to fathom why he was the one substituted. Felt the wrong choice.
- Bukayo Saka 7 - After his assist in the first half, was the sacrificial lamb after Quansah red card.
- Jude Bellingham 9 - His two goals made him head and shoulders England's best player - yet again.
- Anthony Gordon 8 - By far and away the best performance by any England winger in all of their games.
- Harry Kane 8 - England's hero and villain this time. Slammed home a penalty, provided an assist but conceded a clumsy penalty to let Mexico back in the contest.
Substitutes
- Stones (for Saka, 57 mins) 8
- Spence (for O'Reilly, 75 mins) -
- Burn (for Anderson, 75 mins) -
- Rogers (for Kane, 90 mins) -
Mexico (4-3-3)
- Rangel 7, Gallardo 7, Vasquez 7, Montes 6 (Alvarez 46 7), Sanchez 7 (Fodaglo 79 -), Romo 7 (Gutierrez 60 7), Lira 7, Mora 7 (Gimenez 60 6), Quinones 7 (Martinez 82 -), Jimenez 7, Alvarado 6.
Upcoming Fixture
England will face Norway in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
