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Thomas Tuchel’s men held firm to seal a thrilling 3-2 victory at the Estadio Azteca after a pulsating contest that will be remembered for years to come.

Alan Shearer hailed England’s World Cup round of 16 triumph over Mexico as one of the nation’s greatest performances in history.

After a couple of lacklustre outings, England rose magnificently to the occasion in a charged atmosphere at the Estadio Azteca, showing immense resolve to secure the result despite playing over 40 minutes with just ten men.

The final whistle brought immense relief to the millions watching back home well past 4 a.m., following an astonishingly tense finale to a truly remarkable match.

The opening half got off to an engaging start, with England delivering a strong away display full of purpose and energy.

Jordan Pickford was called into action early on, producing a sharp low save to deny Mexico’s only real first-half chance before England struck on the counter in the 36th minute. Pickford launched the move, finding Declan Rice, who fed Bukayo Saka. Saka’s measured cross was met by a diving header from Jude Bellingham to put England 1-0 ahead.

Bukayo Saka’s delivery was perfectly weighted for Bellingham, whose finish left the Mexican defence helpless.

England wasted no time after the restart, doubling their advantage almost immediately. Elliot Anderson pressed high to win possession in the final third and quickly passed to Harry Kane, whose low ball across the six-yard area was tapped in by Bellingham once more.

By half-time, England were simply grateful to still be in front after Mexico mounted a late push. Julian Quinones volleyed home a loose ball from a free-kick on the left to make it 2-1, and only another brilliant Pickford save and a vital clearance from Bellingham off the ensuing corner preserved England’s slender lead.

The second period picked up with equal intensity. Within five minutes, Nico O’Reilly rattled the post with a thunderous volley for England.

Tempers soon flared when Jarell Quansah’s high challenge went initially unpunished, but after a swift VAR review, referee Alireza Faghani issued a straight red card, reducing England to ten men.

Just four minutes later, England struck again. Anthony Gordon raced onto Kane’s flick, darted into the area, and was brought down by goalkeeper Raul Rangel. The referee pointed to the spot, and though Rangel guessed correctly, Kane’s penalty was too precise to stop, extending England’s lead to 3-1.

Mexico were handed a lifeline in the 67th minute when Faghani awarded them a penalty after reviewing Kane’s challenge on Brian Gutierrez inside the box. Raul Jimenez stepped up and, with a stuttering run-up, sent Pickford the wrong way to make it 3-2. England now faced over 20 minutes plus stoppage time with only ten players and a one-goal cushion.

Incredibly, the fourth official added 11 minutes of stoppage time, leaving Tuchel pacing and gesturing frantically on the touchline as the tension reached fever pitch.

Speaking during the extra minutes, BBC co-commentator Shearer remarked: “We’ve talked so much about England’s challenges here — the altitude, the heat, the atmosphere, the energy in this place. If they pull this off, it would stand as one of England’s greatest-ever performances. The way they’re fighting and sticking together is outstanding. They fully deserve it.”

There was one final scare when substitute John Stones narrowly missed from close range with seconds remaining, but that was as close as Mexico came.

England held on for an unforgettable 3-2 win and now advance to the quarter-finals, where they will meet Norway, who earlier stunned Brazil with a 2-1 victory.