England Beats Mexico In Thriller To Advance To World Cup Quarterfinals
The story
Agencies - Jude Bellingham's double inflicted a rare defeat on Mexico at the Estadio Azteca as 10-man England won a nerve-racking World Cup classic 3-2 to reach the quarter-finals.
Harry Kane also scored from the penalty spot as the Three Lions overcame Jarell Quansah's red card, high altitude and a fervent home support to keep their quest for a first major tournament win in 60 years alive.
Details
England have relied on Bellingham and Kane throughout the tournament, and that duo have carried them into a last-eight showdown with Erling Haaland's Norway.
Bellingham struck twice in 98 seconds in the first half to condemn Mexico to just a third defeat in 90 matches at the Azteca.
Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez reduced the Mexican arrears but they fell short of a place in the quarter-finals.
Victory also helped to erase some of England's nightmarish memories at the Azteca in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup when Diego Maradona scored a double for Argentina, including the infamous "Hand of God" goal.
The match was delayed by an hour after a thunderstorm and heavy rain lashed the Mexican capital for hours before the planned 6pm (8am Singapore time) kick-off time.
Despite the sodden conditions, over 80,000 fans crammed into the stadium to create a deafening noise.
Why it matters
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