England triumphed in one of the biggest battles in the Three Lions' World Cup history as they entered the lion's den to face Mexico in the Estadio Azteca
England battled heroically to reach the World Cup quarter-final where they will face Norway after beating Mexico 3-2 with 10 men.
A Jude Bellingham brace within two minutes in the first-half put England in dreamland before a crazy game played out. Mexico struck back before the break through dangerman Julian Quinones. Jarell Quansah saw red following a VAR review 10 minutes into the second-half, fuelling an already chaotic game.
Harry Kane struck from the spot to re-establish the two goal lead despite being a man down, but VAR again haunted England when Kane was penalised for kicking Brian Gutierrez's leg in the box. Raul Jimenez extended his stunning record from the spot to create a nerve-shredding ending, but the Three Lions battled like never before to secure one of the greatest wins in the country's recent history.
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
England knew they had to get through the opening stages in front of a hostile crowd, but Declan Rice's yellow card for a high foot was not a wise start as the boisterous Mexico crowd called for an early red card. No chance it was worthy of a red, but certainly an obvious and clumsy booking to pick up in the opening seconds, especially in the incredibly high bar at this tournament.
The Three Lions looked nervy but their hosts were unable to get a hold of the ball until Raul Jimenez called Jordan Pickford into action just over 10 minutes in, his powerful, low header had to be pushed away by the Everton stopper, who will have been thankful to save the early effort after his disappointing attempt for DR Congo's goal in the round of 32.
England would have been happy enough at the hydration break, with Mexico largely look short of ideas, but the home side came out controlling the game and on the front foot, dominating the ball as England sat in.
But the tactics worked, a counter attack, led by Rice, saw him roll through his Arsenal team-mate Bukayo Saka down the right. Back in the starting line-up as he continues to return to fitness, Saka took on his man and hung a delivery into the back post where Bellingham arrived unmarked to bravely head home from six yards.
Just two minutes later, Bellingham was holding his arms above his head again with his trademark celebration after brilliant tenacious work from Anthony Gordon won the ball back high up the pitch.
The new Barcelona £70million man rolled through Kane, who picked out a pass only he could to square to Bellingham to tap in and deliver what looked a devastating blow.
But the goal sparked Mexico to hit back and a brilliant strike from Quinones just four minutes later halved the deficit. England had to survive a late onslaught to reach the break still ahead, something that fans would have bitten your hand off when the Three Lions were struggling to get a hold of the ball.
The game boiled over just 10 minutes into the second half when Jarell Quansah went in for a heavy challenge in his own half. Play initially carried on despite complaints from the Mexico bench as England went down the other end as Anthony Gordon won a dangerous free-kick.
However, the break in play saw the Mexicans lead their complaints and eventually the referee was sent to the screen by the VAR to review a potential red card.
Upon watching the replay, Quansah had launched into the tackle and completely mistimed his challenge, getting his studs on the ball but his momentum took his over and his studs made contact at force high on the leg of Jesus Gallardo.
The decision was without doubt the correct one as Quansah's shocking tackle saw him become the first England player to be sent off at the World Cup since Wayne Rooney in 2006.
John Stones was sent on to replace Bukayo Saka to restore England back to four defenders. Despite being a man down, England won a penalty through more brilliant work from Kane and Gordon. The new Barcelona star rounded the goalkeeper and was brought down, seeing Kane dispatch the penalty to restore the two goal lead.
However, the joy was short lived as Mexico were awarded a penalty of their own following another VAR intervention after Kane had kicked the back of Brian Gutiérrez's leg attempting a clearance in the box.
Raul Jimenez extended his perfect record from the spot to add another twist to the crazy game, making the score 3-2 with 20 minutes to play.
Tuchel fully pulled the handbrake on, bringing on Dan Burn and Djed Spence for Elliot Anderson and Nico O'Reilly, reverting to a back five with 10 men behind the ball.
The decision to change the shape is why Tuchel is paid the big money to be England boss but it looked inconceivable that England would be able to withstand the onslaught. But they did in defiant and heroic fashion.