107 minutes. 49 of them on 10 men. Yet England still overcame Mexico in Mexico City at the Azteca Stadium. The hosts entered the game having not lost at the stadium in over a decade, with only two competitive losses there in the country’s history. But Thomas Tuchel’s men couldn’t care less about records. Records are there to be broken. They are also not worried one bit about altitude. England played nearly half the match a man down and still came out victors in conditions that the Mexico team were far more adapted to. This England team proved with the win over Mexico that they could be different, and they really could repeat the glory of 1966.
After a tense opening 35 minutes, Jude Bellingham yet again stood up tallest on the biggest stage. Two goals in 98 seconds for the Real Madrid midfielder gave England a quickfire 2-0 lead, before Julian Quinones pulled one back for Mexico just four minutes after Bellingham’s second. Then came an onslaught on the England goal in the build up to half-time, but the Three Lions entered the break 2-1 up.
The second half started well for Tuchel’s men, as Nico O’Reilly had a shot come off the post with England looking to take the game to their opponent. But in the 54th minute, Jarell Quansah was sent off for a challenge on Mexico’s Jesus Gallardo. All England fans had seen this story before. David Beckham in 1998, Wayne Rooney in 2006. Two times England had gone down to 10 men in a World Cup knockout match and not been able to go on and win the game. But this England team, in much tougher conditions, were not phased. Just a few minutes after Quansah’s red, Anthony Gordon won England a penalty, which Harry Kane converted to make it 3-1. Less than 10 minutes later, though, England’s lead had been cut in half again, as Kane was the culprit this time, fouling Brian Gutierrez as he attempted to clear the ball. Raul Jimenez scored and Mexico were back in it. 10 men, 20 minutes to go plus stoppage time, in one of the world’s toughest places to play away from home, and leading by just a goal, all in a World Cup knockout match. Given England’s history, a Mexico equaliser felt inevitable.
But as Jude Bellingham correctly put it after the game, this England team did not ‘crumble’ like the ones we have seen in years past. Instead they puffed their chests out, looked to no one for excuses, and defended for their lives for over half an hour. Backs against the wall, an entire nation against them, and this England team came through. So many times in the past England have fallen apart when under the most pressure, and this game maybe presented more pressure from an opponent than any England game ever. No matter, though, this team would not be phased.
Tuchel was excellent with his substitutions. Djed Spence, who has been overly criticised so far in this tournament, was brilliant when he came on, making a crucial tackle to deny Mexico a big chance at goal. Dan Burn was a rock at the back, heading away any ball that came towards him, including Jimenez’s attempted overhead kick, with the boy from Blyth also making a crucial block at the end of the game. Morgan Rogers provided some much needed energy when Tuchel made the bold decision to sub captain Harry Kane off with 11 minutes of stoppage time to go. John Stones, the first substitute, who replaced the unlucky Bukayo Saka due to Quansah’s red card, was also infallible.
But, as good as Tuchel’s decisions were, the players deserve the most credit for this win. Adjustments can only take you so far in these situations. The contribution of the substitutes has already been mentioned but every player played their heart out, particularly in the last 30 minutes. Anthony Gordon never stopped running and was crucial for the second goal, before winning the penalty for the third. Declan Rice was everywhere and turned defence into attack for the first goal. Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa were impenetrable when their team needed them to be. O’Reilly and Anderson also both gave it their all, and Kane was clinical as ever from the penalty spot, having already set up the second goal perfectly.
But the two men who stood out the mot were Jordan Pickford and Jude Bellingham. On a day where England’s number one equalled Peter Shilton’s record for World Cup appearances, Pickford had maybe his best game in a Three Lions shirt. He made several top class saves, and was excellent at dealing with crosses all game, exemplified by his punch of the ball in the 103rd minute being the last touch of the game. As for Bellingham, you run out of words. It wasn’t just the two goals, it was his goal saving tackle towards the end of the first half, it was his ability to get England up the pitch, it was his non-stop work-rate. When he had nothing left in the tank, he gave even more, as did every England player.
This was a massive team performance by England. Every clearance was met with roars by the bench. The full time whistle showed how together this squad truly is as the players spilled onto the pitch. Jarell Quansah will be a very relieved man. Despite his red card, however, if England are to advance further than the quarter finals, there is no doubt that this team will have full faith in him to give it his all if they face another situation like this. This team will give everything for each other because they know the man next to them will too. Along with that what makes this team different is that, no matter the situation, they are never done. They will not succumb to the pressure, no matter how great it may be. Unlike so many teams of the past 60 years, this England team has an impenetrable mentality that can take them all the way.
Of course, a Round of 16 win does not mean anything in the grand scheme of things. England still have three more massive matches if they are to add a second star to their shirts, which is what the ultimate goal is. Norway will be no easy game, but this team will know they can beat anyone, and no matter what the situation is, they will never say die.
The Three Lions still have a long way to go, but after that monumental win at the Azteca, there is no doubt about it, this is the best chance in 60 years that England have had at winning the World Cup.