The Azteca Stadium fell silent. For the first time in the night, the 90,000-strong Mexican crowd had nothing to shout about. England’s players, those who could still walk, staggered towards their own fans and sang Wonderwall. They had just done something no England side had ever done before: win a World Cup knockout match at the fabled venue where Diego Maradona’s Hand of God once haunted them.
Thomas Tuchel’s team overcame Mexico 3-2 in a last-16 tie that will be remembered as England’s greatest away victory. Jude Bellingham scored twice in the first half – the first from Bukayo Saka’s trickery, the second a poacher’s finish – and Harry Kane added a penalty, all before Jarell Quansah was sent off in the 54th minute with the score 2-1. The right-back’s red card, the latest blow in England’s long-running full-back curse, left them defending for their lives. Yet they held on, even as Mexico threw everything at Jordan Pickford, who had earlier made a sensational save from Raul Jimenez’s diving header.
“England beat Mexico 3-2 at Azteca with 10 men, Bellingham double, to reach World Cup quarter-finals.”
It was only Mexico’s third defeat in 90 competitive games at the Azteca – and the second time England have beaten a World Cup host, joining the 1954 victory over Switzerland. The victory was all the more remarkable because the game had been delayed by an hour due to weather, adding to the altitude disadvantage: the stadium sits 7,220 feet above sea level. Declan Rice was booked after 59 seconds, but England quietened the raucous home fans by slowing the game and playing at their own pace.
“Mark this down as England’s best-ever win on foreign soil,” wrote the Mirror’s John Cross. “Mark it down as Jude Bellingham’s heroic two-goal performance… the night that England’s heroic ten men put their bodies on the line.” Bellingham, who chased every ball until he could not run anymore, later told fans back home to “text your bosses that you’re not coming into work” and “pour another shot”.
The victory sets up a quarter-final against Norway in Miami. England had been struggling, but now they are heroes – and Tuchel, who took a huge gamble with his team selection, has finally earned the respect he deserves. For one night at least, the ghosts of the Azteca were laid to rest.