Jude Bellingham's brace helps England to a monumental win against Mexico at the Azteca

England travelled to Mexico City to face co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in the round of 16. The winner of the tie would book their spot in the quarter-finals, where they would take on Norway in Miami.

Before kick-off, there was plenty of talk about the stadium's altitude potentialy affecting the players, and the weather being a big hindrance to the World Cup knockout fixture.

The highly anticipated knockout fixture was going to be an extremely exciting clash, with Mexico playing on home soil in front of a full Azteca, which was guaranteed to bring huge levels of noise from minute one to minute 90.

From the Mexico national anthem being played, England knew straight away the majority of the crowd was rooting against them, and they had to be on their A-game if they were to get a result from the clash. England started the game trying to figure out a high-tempo Mexico side, who were looking to utilise their home advantage to the max.

Although Mexico had a couple of opportunities early on, the away side took the lead. A brilliant cross from Bukayo Saka found Jude Bellingham, who was free at the back post, to head home into an open goal. The Three Lions had stunned the Azteca, which went silent for the first time all evening. A well-executed counter-attack from back to front saw England take a huge opportunity in the 36th minute to rock the hosts.

Things got even better for the away side, as less than two minutes later, England were 2-0 up. Harry Kane played a perfect pass across goal to England's number 10, and Bellingham slotted home to double his nation's advantage. England were in dreamland, and Mexico were stunned on home soil.

The Three Lions were in dreamland in Mexico City, but the job was far from over, and they knew that.

On the brink of half-time, Mexico's Julián Quiñones rifled home a volley from close range to pull his side back into the game, netting his fourth of the tournament.

At half-time, England were in the lead 2-1, after a quickfire brace from Bellingham put his side in front. With 45 minutes remaining, there was going to be more drama and tension, and that was shown less than 10 minutes into the second half.

In the 54th minute, Jarrell Quansah's sliding challenge for the ball saw him catch Jesus Gallardo high on his leg, resulting in the Englishman receiving a straight red card after a VAR check.

England were down to 10 men and had to hold onto their one-goal lead for over 30 minutes...

England were sending the ball high up the pitch from goal kicks and when goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was in possession, to relieve pressure on the defence. A long punt up the pitch from the Three Lions shot-stopper found the feet of Anthony Gordon following a flick-on, and Gordon won England a penalty after being taken down by Mexico's Raul Rangel. The goalkeeper caught the Barcelona winger and not the ball, resulting in a spot kick for Tuchel's team.

England's number nine stepped up and rifled his spot kick low into the left-hand side of the goal, beating the outstretched Rangel, and England had restored their two-goal advantage.

Less than 10 minutes later, Harry Kane conceded a penalty after catching Brian Gutierrez when trying to clear the ball. Wolves striker Raul Jimenez stepped up and netted, to pull Mexico back into the game yet again.

England soaked up Mexico's pressure for the remainder of the game and had multiple nerve-racking moments, but a well-drilled, strongly structured England defence kept Mexico out and denied the co-hosts an equaliser.

When the full-time whistle was blown, the England squad let out sheer elation after picking up a statement win in Mexico City against Mexico. The co-hosts had not conceded a goal in the competition prior to their meeting with England and had won all four of their games in the 2026 competition.

But Tuchel's brilliant tactical approach in the second half got England over the line and booked the nation's spot in the quarter-finals, where they will face Norway in Miami.