Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterEngland delivered one of their greatest World Cup performances in one of the fabled tournaments greatest games. The 8,000 England fans who trekked to the Azteca, making light of the cost and the rain, were rewarded. The millions who stayed up at home, deep into the night, had their loyalty repaid. Nobody was going to fall asleep in drama like this on the night that the Wonderwall that was Englands defence made the Aztecas wall of noise fall silent.This was the night when England lived up to their supporters beliefs. They showed their attacking class with Jude Bellingham immense. They then displayed their defensive defiance when Jarell Quansah was dismissed. It was a performance of guts that brought glory and a quarter-final against Norway in Miami on Saturday.England had lions all over the pitch. Jordan Pickford kept relieving pressure by charging through traffic and punching clear. Anthony Gordon was tireless on the left, initially as a winger, then as a defensive midfielder. But the lion king was truly Bellingham. Its madness that one of the finest footballing talents ever produced in England should have been doubted. He finished the game at centre-forward, Harry Kane having been subbed. He finished the game, closing down opponents, showing the team player he is.It was Englands No 10 who exorcised the ghosts here, the painful memory of the Hand of God. As if the 40 years since Englands last visit to the Azteca hadnt felt long enough, kick-off was delayed an hour after the thunderstorm protocol was activated. And then, after the storm over the Azteca, came the storm within, and it came, gloriously, from England, from Bellingham, lightning striking twice between the 36 and 38 minutes.What a response. What a reason to wait up, to stay awake. Sweet dreams are made of this. School was worth being late for this. For the first goal, England hit on the counter smoothly. Mexico did not know what hit them as England charged down the right. Jordan Pickford launched the move, Declan Rice carried it on, and Bukayo Saka at last looked like the Arsenal starboy rather than the limping winger nursing an Achilles tendinitis problem. You may like Henry Winters England dispatch from MetLife Stadium 'This was a reminder of the importance of Jude Bellingham and the ridiculousness of his harshest critics' Henry Winter's England dispatch from Atlanta 'Harry Kanes response to Englands journey towards ignominy showcased all the strengths to his game' 'This is an absolute belter of a game, I wish I was in that stadium' Joe Hart laments BBC's Salford studio after pulsating first half of Mexico vs England Now there was a burst of pace and positivity, rather than the unconvincing player so far. He ran at Jesus Gallardo, perhaps remembering how the left-back had a nibble at his Achilles. Saka shaped to go inside, went out and dinked the ball across. Kane made the decoy run, creating space for Bellingham to throw himself into, eyes on the prize, his vision never straying from the balls flight. Bellinghams diving header was perfect, too quick and firm for Raul Rangel.Play our FREE match predictor and win �1kMexicos keeper was beaten again 80 seconds later. Elliot Andersons press coughed up the ball. Gordon and Bellingham seized the opportunity, working the ball right to Kane. Englands captain slid in, stretching out his right foot and transferring the ball at pace across the six-yard box. Bellingham timed his run, beating Erik Lira to the ball and sweeping it home. Mexico were stunned. This wasnt in the script. For those back home, allowed to stay up, this was something to tell teacher whenever school was reached. This was certainly class. Because England were under pressure and stayed defiant. Pickford made two astonishing saves from Raul Jimenez headers, the first low to his left, the second a tip-over - either side of Bellinghams goals.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.England had to withstand predictable pressure and unbelievable noise. It blew down from the fans in the stands, booing every English touch, demanding retribution when Rices raised foot caught Luis Romo. The caution came, and fortunately his earlier booking against Ghana was wiped after the group stage. The 70,000+ home support greeted with a triumphant ole every promising move in green, and they were given hope when Julian Quinones slammed the ball in after a free-kick ricocheted off Ezri Konsa.Mexico were in the mood, and only Bellinghams determination and reflexes hooked the ball clear as Cesar Montes was about to score.England couldnt afford any mistakes. They had to keep their composure, because the home fans were screaming for everything, beseeching Alireza Faghani to sanction any infringement, however minor. What to read next England vs Croatia proves all the fun of the fair on thrillseekers' doorstep - but only for the neutral England star nails World Cup colours to the mast in Thomas Tuchel's final dress rehearsal Henry Winter exclusive from Boston: 'England left shaking their heads as Ghana's yellow wall proves too resolute for Thomas Tuchel's men' And certainly major. When Quansah went in hard and fast on Gallardo, he caught the ball but his right foot continued rising into the Mexican full-back. Faghani required VARs intervention to come to the right decision. Quansah walked.Saka went to right-back, briefly before John Stones arrived at centre-back and Konsa switched to full-back. England breathed determination. When Kane challenged Edson Alvarez, the outstanding Gordon ran on and was brought down by Rangel. Kane made no mistake. 3-1 to 10-man England.But England never make it easy for themselves. Kane, whose defensive work had been supreme, conceded a penalty for kicking through Brian Gutierrezs foot. The substitute crumpled to the floor, Mexico appealed, play went on briefly, before VAR again intervened and rightly so. It was soft but still correct. Jimenez ran in, stuttered, and still generated the power to send his kick past Pickford. There was a degree of inevitability about Jimenezs 46th successful penalty out of 48.Azteca shook again. Tuchel tweaked again. Dan Burn and Djed Spence came on for Anderson and Nico OReilly. England were now 5-3-1. Bellingham, Rice and Gordon shielded the defence, Burn made a powerful clearing header, so did Spence. Pickford came out and connected with vital punches. It was one of the great rearguard actions.Tuchel twisted again. Kane off. Morgan Rogers on. More legs in attack. The clock ticked down. Then 11 additional minutes were shown. More Pickford punches. More Bellingham running. And then the final whistle, and the quarter-final berth. And then Bellingham named man of the match. Who else?TOPICSJude BellinghamHarry KaneEnglandMexicoWorld CupWorld Cup 2026James AndrewSocial Links NavigationEditorJames Andrew is the editor of FourFourTwo, overseeing both the magazine and website. James is an NCTJ qualified journalist and began his career as a news reporter in regional newspapers in 2006 before moving into sport a year later. In 2011 he started a six year stint on the sports desk at the Daily Mail and MailOnline. James was appointed editor of FourFourTwo in December 2019. Across his career James has interviewed the likes of Franco Baresi, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Beckham and Michael Owen. James has been a Fulham season ticket holder since the mid-1990s and enjoys watching them home and away, through promotion and relegation.
