England win Mexico thriller to reach World Cup quarter-finals

England overcame hostility, altitude and Jarell Quansah’s red card as Thomas Tuchel’s side edged a 3-2 blockbuster against World Cup co-hosts Mexico to set-up a quarter-final clash with Norway.

The back-to-back European Championship finalists faced all manner of obstacles heading into Sunday’s last-16 tie at the majestic Estadio Azteca, where kick-off was delayed by an hour due to a storm.

England started well 2,200 metres above sea level when the last-16 tie eventually got under way, with Jude Bellingham’s quickfire brace silencing supporters whose hopes would be revived by Julian Quinones before the break.

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Mexican belief grew further when right-back Quansah was sent off for a clumsy challenge early in the second half, only for Tuchel’s team to immediately respond through skipper Harry Kane’s spot-kick.

Raul Jimenez added a penalty of his own to increase English nerves, yet the visitors showed defensive nous and togetherness to win on a wild night in Mexico City.

A date with Norway in Miami is the reward as England kept their quest for World Cup glory alive and helped avenge Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ on their return to the Azteca after 40 years.

Football’s Coming Home rung around the famous stadium at the end of a match that began with a start as intense as the atmosphere.

Mexico attempted to capitalise on their acclimatisation to altitude but England effectively took the sting out of proceedings, although Jordan Pickford had to produce a world-class stop to deny Jimenez’s header.

The visitors, as planned, got through to the hydration break unscathed and soon began to pose problems at the other end.

Anthony Gordon forced a save from Raul Rangel