From Bellingham’s quick-fire double to remarkable rearguard action, Telegraph Sport dissects the game of the tournament so far
Daily Telegraph 06/07/26
England’s clash with Mexico turned into a chaotic World Cup classic as they overcame the conditions, fervent home crowd and a red card to book their place in the quarter-finals.
Telegraph Sport breaks down how it unfolded.
The atmosphere and the aggro
There was so much talk about the mythical atmosphere at the Azteca and the challenge England would face. It did not disappoint. This was probably the craziest, most intense game of football that anyone who was inside the stadium has ever attended. On the pitch and off it, with the intensity of the fans something to behold. From two, three hours before the delayed kick-off.
It was a mad game in a mad stadium in a gloriously mad city. And England and Tuchel can take so much credit from how they handled it. This was a result and a performance for the ages, the kind of transformative performance that can lead to... well, let’s not get too carried away.
For those fans it was hostile, but not nasty even, if beer was thrown at the England players after Kane’s penalty. On the pitch it was certainly competitive. Challenges flew in from both sides and the will have taken out so much from those involved.
There was also aggro off it. Anthony Barry, Tuchel’s assistant, clashed with the Mexico bench after Quansah’s dismissal and with Nico O’Reilly accused of bloodying an opponent. And the two technical areas became increasingly and constantly agitated.
Pickford’s saves keep England in game
Despite five goals being scored, both goalkeepers played their part. Jordan Pickford’s wonderful save to deny Raúl Jiménez in the 17th minute caused some debate. It might not have been quite up there with Gordon Banks’s remarkable stop to prevent Pelé from scoring – also in Mexico – in the 1970 World Cup, but it was not too far behind.
Pickford has come in for criticism during this World Cup, but he reacted sharply to dive low to his left and push Jiménez’s powerful downward header around the post for a corner. Was it a save he would expect to make? Given the conditions and the accuracy of the header, probably not.
The timing of it was also important. Thomas Tuchel had spoken about the need to see through the opening 20 minutes against Mexico, who try to “suffocate” their opponents with early goals. “We knew 0-0 at the water break would be a good result for us,” Barry said at half-time.
After a chaotic early start, when Declan Rice was booked inside a minute for a high boot, England did well in keeping the ball and trying to prevent Mexico gaining any momentum.
Still England were also indebted to another fine save from Pickford just before half-time, which would have drawn Mexico level, as he tipped over another Jiménez header. Making his 17th World Cup appearance for England, equalling Peter Shilton’s record for a goalkeeper, it was dominant from Pickford.
Bellingham’s inspired 98 seconds
Jude Bellingham had come in for some rough treatment from Mexico, who clearly realised the danger he posed, so were trying to rile him into responding. But the 23-year-old first showed bravery in demanding the ball in tight situations, turning and driving forward to help England break the lines in midfield.
And then he showed brilliance with his two first-half goals, just 98 seconds apart. They were classic midfield, box-crashing goals. Reminiscent of Bryan Robson in his absolute pomp.
For the first, which owed so much to Rice’s powerful driving run and then Bukayo Saka’s excellent cross, Bellingham burst through to head home. Replays showed just how much effort and determination he had to get on the end of the cross and anticipate where it would go. He was 10 yards outside the penalty area when Saka got the ball and was inside the six-yard area when he met it. All in a split second.
As impressive was the second with Harry Kane squaring and Bellingham having that desire, through a thicket of bodies, legs and defenders to win it and force it over the line. Truly world-class, as he knew Bellingham is.
Almost as important was a remarkable tackle he made just before half-time to prevent César Montes from scoring from close range when it looked certain he would draw Mexico level.
England wobble before half-time
Was it game over after Bellingham’s second goal? For a few seconds it felt like it was as the home crowd was quietened – and that is some statement given the stunning noise that was generated. Mexico appeared beaten, but they rallied and their goal before half-time had England rocking. It was an unfortunate concession and all the more frustrating given it came from a set-piece – something England pride themselves on in both defence and attack.
The ball inadvertently clipped off Ezri Konsa and fell to Julián Quiñones, who scored. Maybe England could have marked Mexico’s danger man more closely, but no one could anticipate the touch off Konsa.
The change in atmosphere was extraordinary. The stadium rocked, beer was thrown from the stands and green, white and red flares filled the air.
England’s right-back curse strikes again
Right-back really has been a cursed position at this World Cup but, in truth, stand-in Jarell Quansah can have no complaint. His lunging tackle on Jesús Gallardo was not only reckless but unnecessary. He will argue he won the ball, but he caught Gallardo very high on his ankle and could have caused some serious damage.
Still it took a VAR check for the red card to be shown and so Tuchel had to find yet another right-back with Ezri Konsa moved over to fill that role. Down to 10 men Tuchel had to sacrifice an attacker and substituted Saka who, despite his assist, did not look fit with John Stones coming on.
Remarkably it meant England had gone through Reece James, Tino Livramento, Djed Spence, Rice, Quansah, Stones and now Konsa at right-back – while, of course, leaving Trent Alexander-Arnold at home.
Tuchel then used the second hydration break, with the score 3-2, to reshape his defence and go to a back five. His approach was clear: defend for your lives.
Kane’s penalty redemption...
The England captain showed nerves of steel to score from the penalty spot, after he had set up Anthony Gordon, who was fouled.
Goal number 85 for his country was a big one and Kane would only be human in allowing himself a momentary thought on the spot kick he took against France, four years ago, in that World Cup quarter-final when he ballooned the ball over the crossbar against his former Tottenham Hotspur team-mate Hugo Lloris and England went out. So this was a sweet moment of redemption as he drove his effort powerfully into the net.
Kane’s penalty pain
But then Kane was at fault as he did not react quickly enough when he needed to clear the ball inside his own penalty area and caught Brian Gutiérrez’s foot. It was possibly harsh, and Kane continued to protest after the spot kick was given following a VAR check. But Jimenez is, like Kane, a fine penalty-taker and scored.
Remarkable rearguard action
John Stones take a bow. And Tuchel. Stones came on following Quansah’s sending-off and produced a flawless defensive masterclass. He justified his selection for this squad with that contribution alone, after another injury-hit season in which he has been released by Manchester City and when it looked like Tuchel picking him was a mistake. But his experience here was priceless.
There was wave after wave of Mexico attacks, but England managed the final period superbly, with Stones at the heart of it, producing some brilliant blocks and last-ditch tackles while he organised those around him.
And fair play to Tuchel. He decided to switch to a back five, bringing on Dan Burn and Djed Spence – who also excelled – and it worked. For all the pressure, Mexico did not create a clear chance bar one opportunity being deflected narrowly wide.
The switch in formation meant England had no “out” and invited even more pressure, but Tuchel accepted that and his team responded, even with 11 minutes of added time.
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