England survived a red card, a fierce late Mexican surge and the hostile atmosphere of the Estadio Azteca to eliminate co-hosts Mexico in one of the World Cup’s most dramatic knockout ties.
Jude Bellingham looked to have put the tie beyond doubt, scoring twice inside two first-half minutes to give England a commanding lead.
Mexico struck back before the break through Julián Quiñones, however, and the tie was transformed in the second half when Jarell Quansah was sent off for a reckless lunge.
The match swung again when Harry Kane converted a penalty to restore England’s two-goal cushion, but he then conceded a spot-kick moments later. Raúl Jiménez made no mistake from the spot to make for a frantic finish.
Despite wave after wave of Mexican pressure and the roaring Azteca crowd, England held firm and saw out the victory.
England now travel to Miami to face Norway for a place in the semifinals.
Anthony Gordon, who started the tournament slowly, has been crucial in England’s recent knockout wins. Introduced from the bench, he supplied the decisive creativity, assisting both goals in the comeback against DR Congo and once more driving England forward in this match with Mexico.
Gordon’s energetic runs, smart decision to challenge for a Kane header that led to the match-winning penalty, and committed defending make him a near-certainty for the quarter-final starting XI.
The Azteca’s intensity has been notable: Quansah’s dismissal was the fifth red card issued at this stadium during the World Cup, across only five games played here, underlining how fiercely contested matches at this venue have been, the New York Times reports.
Here is list of the red card at this stadium:
Sphephelo Sithole — South Africa (vs Mexico)
Themba Zwane — South Africa (vs Mexico)
Cesar Montes — Mexico (vs South Africa)
Piero Hincapie — Ecuador (vs Mexico)
Jarell Quansah — England (vs Mexico)
It was also the 13th red card of this World Cup, the report also maintains. There will be no more at Azteca, though, as the match between England and Mexico was the last game in Mexico.
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| Jarell Quansah sent off |
Of course, one man who will now be banned for England from their quarter-final tie is Jarell Quansah.
The match with Mexico was his second red card as a professional.
His first? That came while he was on loan at Bristol Rovers against Portsmouth in March 2023, in English football’s third tier, the New York Times explains.
England will now face Norway at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard await!
And fear not, England fans. England’s next venue is only three or four metres above sea level compared to the Azteca’s 2,240.
Tuchel has his say on Balogun suspension:
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| Tuchel |
Thomas Tuchel also took a question in his news conference about the incredible news earlier today that FIFA has decided to suspend Folarin Balogun’s suspension for an entire year, following his red card in the round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The USMNT forward will now be available to face Belgium today, while every other team at the World Cup will now want similar treatment if they have a player suspended. Tuchel said:
On the red card to England, Tuchel argues: “First of all, it was not a red card. But three people on VAR and the refree checked it ... decision was made. Who overturns this decision and on what grounds? How far does it go now? It’s strange to me. Do we get Declan Rice’s yellow card back? Do France get Olise’s back? Where does it end?”
~Story, Courtesy The New York Times
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