The England team won dramatically 3-2 against host Mexico at the Azteca stadium to register their name in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, where they will face Norway.
Despite having to play with one less player for more than half an hour, coach Thomas Tuchel's team still showed bravery to overcome the enormous pressure from more than 80,000 spectators in the stands.
This victory is considered one of the most impressive performances of the England team away from home in major tournaments.
Tuchel's team not only overcame the pressure from the altitude, weather conditions and fiery atmosphere at Azteca, but also played bravely when they were only 10 people in more than 35 minutes.
In the opposite direction, Mexico conceded for the first time at the 2026 World Cup after an impressive clean sheet streak.
Overcoming the biggest challenge since the beginning of the tournament, England will enter the quarter-finals to meet Norway, the team that just caused an earthquake when eliminating Brazil.
The confrontation between Harry Kane and Erling Haaland promises to become the focus of the next round at the 2026 World Cup.
Jude Bellingham's classy performance
Tuchel once mentioned that England needed both bravery and a bit of luck to erase the painful memories at the 1986 World Cup.
Therefore, Jude Bellingham's double at the Azteca stadium is of special significance.
The Real Madrid midfielder became the first player since Maradona at the 1986 World Cup to score 2 goals in a match at the Azteca stadium. At that time, the Argentine legend scored a double against Belgium in the semi-finals before bringing Albiceleste to the championship.
Bellingham also became the second English player to score a double at the Azteca at a World Cup, after Gary Lineker in the match against Paraguay in 1986.
Both goals of the 23-year-old star came from situations of penetrating the penalty area at the right time, clearly reflecting how Tuchel built the system to maximize Bellingham's scoring ability.
This midfielder has scored in 3 of England's 5 matches at the 2026 World Cup and continues to prove his important core role.
The understanding between Bellingham and Harry Kane is also increasingly clear. Kane assisted the younger player's second goal, before the two recreated each other's celebration as a symbol of cohesion in the "Three Lions" squad.
Anthony Gordon has found himself
Anthony Gordon also proved his value with his outstanding performance against Mexico.
After disappointing in the match against Ghana, this winger made his mark with two assists when coming on as a substitute against the DRC, thereby winning a starting spot in the round of 16.
Gordon responded to the coaching staff's belief with an energetic match.
In the first half, he continuously exploited the space behind the Mexican defense, becoming an important pressing outlet whenever England was under pressure.
The Barcelona player made a great contribution to the second goal when he made a pass to open a combination between Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.
In the second half, Gordon forced goalkeeper Raul Rangel to foul in the penalty area, earning a penalty for Kane to increase the score to 3-1.
