Mexico 2-3 England: Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane again stand out in defensive action at Azteca Stadium | Football news

England beat Mexico 3-2 thanks to good defense to secure a place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

Two goals from Jude Bellingham put the Three Lions in control. Julian Quinones pulled one back before Harry Kane’s penalty and Jarell Quansah’s red card wrapped up the game.

But the defense of all the players wearing an England shirt to see the game now means they will face Norway in the quarter-finals.

Here, Sky Sports rates all players on an eventful night in Mexico City.

Jordan Pickford – 9

His best game of the tournament. Pickford has faced criticism in the four games leading up to the last 16 tie at Azteca, but his save to clear Raul Jimenez’s early diving header was the confidence boost he needed.

He dived to his right again to block another header from Jimenez as England dragged themselves into half-time with a narrow one-goal lead and the pressure mounting. He might have saved a penalty if it wasn’t for a big step to his left.

A calm head in a chaotic game. He returned to his best form.

Jarell Quansah – 4

The right-back was the talk of the town before this game and will be the first after it. But, in Quansah’s defense, he didn’t put his feet down until he flew to Jesus Gallardo.

England’s first red card at the World Cup since Wayne Rooney against Portugal in 2006 put the game in the balance, but thanks to Quansah, his side held their own to ensure his mistake did not cost them a place in the tournament.

Ezri Konsa – 8

England’s full-backs have also been under scrutiny in this tournament but you can’t fault this defence. A team that came together to pull themselves together at the final whistle.

Konsa was no nonsense in his approach and honest. You can’t blame the defenders for being left on the field when it was one of the better defenses with everything on the line.

Marc Guehi – 8

Like Konsa, Guehi can’t go wrong with this display. The pressure has never been higher and both starting linebackers have been delivering, putting their bodies on the line whenever and wherever needed.

Nico O’Reilly – 7

He is solid defensively and posed his usual and unique threat in the final third as he continued to drift into pockets of space. After the game descended into chaos, he was perhaps lucky to escape a red card for an elbow on Jorge Sanchez.

Thomas Tuchel immediately removed him after the incident. However, it looks like England have their left-back for the foreseeable future. To perform at this level, at this stage, I’m only 21 years old. There’s a lot to learn, like avoiding moments like the elbow, but it’s very impressive.

Elliot Anderson – 7

Anderson entered the game as he moved into a full-back role to provide additional reinforcements to the defense. With England down to 10 men, it was difficult to have a say in possession but in games like this, players like Anderson are the profiles you need.

Declan Rice – 7

The booking in the first minute reduced his influence on the game as he had to apply the brakes as he usually does in midfield. Mexico gained control in the middle of the park before the goals but Rice continued to play his part.

He rallied with the rest of the team to play his part in a stoic defensive game. Battling a nagging injury and playing a full game, 101 minutes, also cannot be overlooked. Rice, like all other players, puts his body on the line.

Watch Saka – 6

He remains outside his usual standards but the light of quality he can bring to the game, and why he is so important to England, was clearly shown by his strike at Bellingham in the opening game.

He was withdrawn for 56 minutes in response to Quansah being sent off, he wouldn’t have many minutes in the tank anyway.

Jude Bellingham – 10

Alti-Jude! England’s man of the occasion. The start of the game is quiet, like the rest of the team, but he woke his team to life with a double fire to calm the cauldron that is Azteca.

His goals sometimes speak for themselves but he was also there to rescue England defensively, clearing the ball from Cesar Montes before firing into point-blank range and running home to win the game.

With every big moment, Bellingham came up. A legend in the making, if not one.

Anthony Gordon – 9

A mission to silence any doubters. The two assistants from the bench playing against DR Congo started Gordon’s life at the World Cup. He was influential and influential in the Azteca.

A relentless runner but paired that with the courage needed to ask questions of the defense. Matching both of those factors translated into winning the main penalty for the third time. He didn’t stop. All the best from Gordon.

Harry Kane – 9

Pressure, what pressure? Tire pressure! The game was hanging at 2-1 after Quansah’s red card but Kane kept his cool in the penalty area, not the most intense moment of his career.

The two-goal lead was quickly erased, but his goal secured a place in the quarter finals.

England’s last 11 World Cup goals were scored by Bellingham and Kane. This is a tournament of big names and England’s duo continue to deliver when it matters most.

What you are holding

John Stones – 8

He was dropped in difficult circumstances after Quansah’s red card but has been the England boss who needs experience to steady the ship.

Stones has been there and done it at all levels and that level of maturity was required for the high-octane ending at Azteca.

Djed Spence – 8

He replaced O’Reilly following the elbow incident and filled in on the left. He was called into action but the execution was clear: if the ball is there, take it away and re-set it.

A last-ditch tackle inside the box stopped a big chance for Mexico in the final 10 minutes. He defended himself very well.

Dan Burn – 8

He made his World Cup debut as Tuchel looked to block the bar in the last 20 minutes. A strong physical presence was also required with a screen protecting the back of the wall.

Morgan Rogers – 6

He replaced Kane as time went on and made a good run, clearing his lines in the box and trying to hold the ball up. It wasn’t a cameo where he would have a voice going forward but he played his part.