Bellingham Double Sends 10-Man England Previous Mexico 3-2

Bellingham Silences Azteca, Quansah Purple Checks England’s Nerve

Mexico entered the spherical of 16 as the one aspect but to concede at this World Cup, having topped their group and overwhelmed Ecuador 2-0 within the final 32. England, stronger on paper, had survived a scare towards DR Congo earlier than arriving at an Azteca that had by no means witnessed a Mexico defeat in World Cup competitors throughout ten earlier makes an attempt and the match was additional difficult by an hour-long climate delay earlier than kick-off.

The sport was largely tight till the thirty sixth minute, when Declan Rice drove ahead and launched Bukayo Saka, whose cross discovered Bellingham arriving on the again put up to go dwelling. Remarkably, England doubled the lead simply 98 seconds later. Harry Kane laid the ball again throughout aim and Bellingham transformed from shut vary. Mexico hit again three minutes earlier than half-time when a free-kick from the left was cleared to Julian Quinones, who volleyed into the roof of the web to make it 2-1 on the break.

The second half introduced contemporary drama. Quansah was dismissed within the 54th minute following a VAR assessment for a excessive problem on Jesus Gallardo. Six minutes later, Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel introduced down Anthony Gordon and Kane transformed the ensuing penalty for his sixth aim of the match, his 14th in World Cup historical past, drawing degree with Gerd Muller on the all-time record.

Raul Jimenez then transformed a penalty of his personal after Kane fouled Brian Gutierrez, making it 3-2 and establishing a frantic closing stretch that England’s defence, marshalled by Jordan Pickford, in the end survived.

Three Objectives in Eight Minutes Modified the Match

Bellingham’s two targets in 98 seconds, the primary a header from Saka’s cross, the second a close-range end from Kane’s help, ended Mexico’s tournament-long clear sheet and put England firmly in management.

Quinones’ volley from a free-kick lowered the deficit earlier than half-time and restored the Azteca’s ambiance. Quansah’s purple card within the 54th minute, awarded after a VAR assessment for a excessive problem, reworked the competition and gave Mexico a numerical benefit they pressed relentlessly within the closing phases.

Kane’s penalty to revive a two-goal cushion proved the decisive second; Bellingham himself made a goal-line clearance in added time of the primary half to protect the lead.

Bellingham Delivers England’s Largest Evening in Years

Jude Bellingham was the central determine at each ends of the pitch. His headed opener broke Mexico’s defensive report for the match and his second aim, transformed from Kane’s cutback, arrived earlier than the Azteca had time to get better.

He additionally produced a vital goal-line clearance in first-half stoppage time when Cesar Montes appeared sure to attain. Bellingham grew to become the primary participant to attain two targets on the Azteca in a World Cup match since Diego Maradona did so for Argentina towards Belgium within the 1986 semi-final. After the match he described it as the most effective evening of my England profession.

Quarter-Last With Norway Subsequent as Mexico Exit Azteca

For England, the end result books a quarter-final towards Norway in Miami Gardens. Thomas Tuchel might want to assess his defensive choices rigorously, Quansah’s suspension guidelines him out of that fixture, and Jordan Henderson was taken to hospital after the ultimate whistle with a wrist harm sustained throughout the post-match celebrations, including additional uncertainty to the squad.

A number of different gamers collected yellow playing cards, Guehi, O’Reilly, and Henderson amongst them, and another reserving for any of these gamers would set off a suspension, an element Tuchel should handle towards an Norway aspect who eradicated Brazil.

For Mexico, the defeat extends a painful sample. The co-hosts have now exited the World Cup on the spherical of 16 for the eighth time since reaching the quarter-finals on dwelling soil in 1986. Javier Aguirre’s aspect had been the match’s most spectacular co-host group winner, conceding nothing till Bellingham struck, however the margin between their degree and England’s proved decisive when the match opened up.