England advance to quarter-finals after dramatic win
England secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Mexico in the World Cup round of 16, earning them a place in the quarter-finals against Norway. The match, held at the Azteca Stadium, saw Thomas Tuchel’s side overcome a red card and intense pressure to achieve one of their most significant wins in recent years.
The game experienced an hour-long delay due to severe storms, adding to the atmosphere of the encounter. Despite the challenging conditions, England demonstrated a composed approach early on, with Jude Bellingham scoring two goals within 98 seconds before half-time, giving England a strong lead.
Jordan Pickford, England’s goalkeeper, delivered a superb performance, making crucial saves against Raul Jimenez. However, he was unable to prevent Julian Quinones from scoring for Mexico three minutes before the break, narrowing England’s lead.
Key moments and fan reactions
The match intensified when Jarell Quansah received a red card early in the second half for a high challenge on Jesus Gallardo. Despite being reduced to 10 men, England managed to restore their two-goal advantage when Harry Kane converted a penalty after Anthony Gordon was fouled by goalkeeper Raul Rangel.
The drama continued as Kane was penalised for kicking Brian Gutierrez’s foot in the area, leading to a penalty for Mexico. Jimenez successfully converted the spot-kick, once again reducing England’s lead and setting up a tense finish. Under significant pressure, Tuchel introduced Dan Burn and Djed Spence, shifting to a five-man defence to hold onto the lead through 11 minutes of stoppage time.
Fans across the South East of England celebrated the victory. Mick Allen from Dartford expressed his excitement, stating, “The World Cup is coming home!” Connor Burns, who watched the game in Brighton, highlighted the dedication of fans, saying, “I’ve got work in four hours, but it’s alright, we’ll do anything for our country.” Graham Munro, also from Brighton, praised the team’s defensive effort, particularly after Quansah’s red card, describing the experience as “so tense and stressful.”
Rosie Hunt, who watched the match with Burns, likened the experience to a “rollercoaster.” Ben Martin, who watched with Jarvis Stockford and Jack Martin in Dartford, commended England’s performance, noting their progression to the final eight of the competition. Chris Michaelas, who operates Dartford Sports Bar, remarked that the game “had everything,” including goals, penalties, red cards, drama, and suspense, providing fans with an exhilarating experience.
Mexican media reflects on ‘painful Aztecazo’
Mexican media outlets reacted to the national team’s defeat, describing it as a “most-painful Aztecazo.” This term refers to the rare occurrence of Mexico losing a competitive match at their formidable Azteca Stadium. The result marked only the third competitive loss for Mexico at the venue since its opening in 1966.
ESPN Deportes reported that the hopes of the Mexico City Stadium were “dashed in the 101st minute,” noting that Mexican fans remained supportive until the end, clinging to the hope of defeating a team like England. The publication described the 3-2 scoreline as “the most painful ‘Aztecazo’ of all.”
Both El Universal and AS Mexico also used the term “Aztecazo” in their coverage, with AS Mexico calling it “the definitive ‘Aztecazo’.” El Universal stated that Mexico exited the World Cup with their “heads held high.” The publication also referenced a warning from goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa about the importance of clinical finishing, which proved true with Bellingham’s brace.
El Universal further commented that possession, which favoured the Mexican team, became a “mere statistic,” and that England “suffered from start to finish at the Azteca Stadium.” AS Mexico labelled the match “The ‘Game of the Century’ of the new era,” highlighting how Javier Aguirre’s ‘Tri’ pushed England to their limits in a “delirious and legendary match.” England will now prepare to face Norway in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
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Source: bbc.com
