THOMAS TUCHEL promised that England would finally make peace with the Azteca Stadium – and he was right.

After an energy-sapping, nail-biting, head-scratching and downright unbelievable game of football, England – who played for most of the second half with 10 men after Jarell Quansah’s red card – can move on from their loss here in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals.

And now, they are through to the last eight again.

The 3,000 England fans inside the Azteca will remember this for the rest of their lives. 

As for those watching at home, particularly in the pubs, they were probably so p****d they should watch it again today just to savour this true England classic.

There may have been no Hand of God or world-class goal from Diego Maradona but here was a classic footballing scrap for the ages. Equally, the rest of the world would have been gripped.

Both teams gave absolutely everything for their respective countries. The incredible Mexican fans shattered our ear-drums by trying to roar their team to victory but they had not bargained for a stubborn, brilliant 10-man England team.

And now Tuchel will take his Three Lions to Miami to face Norway and a certain striker who plays for Manchester City.

When Jude Bellingham scored twice in 99 seconds in the first half, we thought that the game was over but it had only just started.

Julian Quinones pulled one back for the co-hosts, Quansah was sent off in the 54th minute after a VAR check and then Harry Kane made it 3-1 from the penalty spot for his sixth goal at the World Cup.

Incredibly, Kane then gave away a penalty and Raul Jimenez pulled one back to set up a crazy ending. 

There was lightning before the game, which saw the match put back by one hour, but there were even more fireworks on the pitch.

In competitive matches since 1966, Mexico has played 89 games at the Estadio Azteca and has suffered only two defeats – and the last one against Honduras was 13 years ago.

But now, they have lost again.

Mexico created nothing until Jimenez sent his header arrowing towards the bottom corner but Jordan Pickford, brilliantly, somehow, got down to his left to scoop the ball away.

Tuchel had spoken of getting through the first 20 minutes which is the really difficult time in terms of adjusting to altitude.

England managed that, got to the drinks break and immediately, Anthony Gordon – outstanding down the left – did superbly to keep a long punt from Pickford in play and create a shot for himself but his right-footed effort was a bit tame.

Yet at the perfect time, in an unbelievable spell, England smacked Mexico with a one-two.

The first was pure magic. It started with Pickford’s roll to Declan Rice, he surged forward with the ball, found Arsenal chum Bukayo Saka who had suffered an awfully quiet game until he delivered the perfect cross.

It may have been too high for Kane but it dropped onto the head of Bellingham who delivered his classic goal celebration by outstretching both arms.

Less than two minutes later, he did it again. Bellingham delivered a brilliant one-two with Kane before stabbing the ball over the line to stun the Azteca.

Equally, Elliot Anderson did extremely well to win possession while Gordon showed real guts to keep the ball under intense pressure.

Yet it was never going to be easy. Quinones smashed the ball past Pickford after Ezri Konsa failed to clear Roberto Alvarado’s free-kick.

England started the second half well. Nico O’Reilly hit the post but disaster struck when Quansah got his red card after catching Jesus Gallardo with his studs after initially winning the ball.

Ref Alireza Faghani did not see the incident but as soon as he was called over the VAR monitor, Quansah – who returned to the team after injury – was always going to get sent off. He can have no complaints.

No sooner had England reshuffled with John Stones replacing Saka, England won a penalty after Gordon was bundled over by keeper Raul Rangel.

Kane was never going to miss this one but unbelievably, after a VAR check, the captain was punished for kicking Brian Gutierrez in the box, and Jimenez – who has just rejoined Wolves from Fulham – stuck the ball past Pickford.

Tuchel finished with a back five, bringing on Dan Burn and Djed Spence – and it worked.

England’s players put their bodies on the line, survived 11 minutes of extra-time and held on for a heroic victory.

Tuchel said it was karma that England would leave here triumphant and he was correct.

Now, let’s hope the German gets a few more things right and we could all be having a proper party in a couple of weeks.

Comment now