The thriller at the Estadio Azteca.

I can think of no better way to describe what we witnessed in the wee hours of the morning.

It was football at its dramatic best.

England produced perhaps their finest performance on foreign soil while finally casting out the ghosts that have haunted them since that unforgettable afternoon in 1986.

Forty years after Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” and his unforgettable “Goal of the Century” condemned England to one of their greatest World Cup heartbreaks, history returned to the same stadium.

This time, England walked away smiling.

Mexico 2. England 3.

Long before kick-off, Mexico had transformed their capital into one giant football carnival. A sea of green flowed through the streets of Mexico City before finally converging on the magnificent Estadio Azteca. Their songs echoed through the city. Their colours painted every corner of the metropolis. Their passion was unmistakable.

For many visiting teams, it would have been intimidating.

But the opponents were England.

This was knockout football in its purest form. Five goals. Two penalties. One red card.

An atmosphere that crackled with tension from the opening whistle until the final blast.

The game exploded into life through Jude Bellingham. England’s midfield maestro struck twice in the space of barely ninety seconds. Before Mexico could fully comprehend what had happened, they found themselves staring at a two-goal deficit.

The Azteca fell silent. Only briefly.

Mexico responded almost immediately, pulling one goal back and reminding everyone that no lead is ever comfortable inside one of world football’s greatest cathedrals.

Then came the defining moment.

In the 54th minute, Jarell Quansah was shown a red card.

It was the correct decision.

England were suddenly reduced to ten men.

The momentum shifted.

The crowd sensed opportunity.

The Mexican players sensed vulnerability.

Just as England were attempting to reorganise themselves, another dramatic twist arrived.

England won a penalty.

Captain Harry Kane stepped forward.

Cool.

Calm.

Clinical.

He buried the penalty with the composure that has defined much of his international career.

England restored their two-goal cushion.

But Mexico refused to surrender.

They later earned a penalty of their own.

Again, the referee made the right decision.

Again, the penalty was expertly converted.

The score became 3-2.

And then began what felt like the longest half hour I have ever witnessed in football.

From that moment until the final whistle—including eleven nerve-racking minutes of added time—Mexico laid siege to the England half.

Wave after wave of green shirts poured forward.

Every attack carried danger.

Every cross raised anxiety.

Every clearance was greeted with relief.

This was where England truly won the match.

Jordan Pickford transformed his penalty area into a fortress.

He commanded every aerial ball.

He organised his defenders.

He anticipated danger before it arrived.

He radiated confidence when panic would have been understandable.

If Bellingham won England the match, Pickford ensured they did not lose it.

But Pickford did not stand alone.

The nine outfield players around him produced a defensive masterclass.

Their discipline was extraordinary.

Their tactical sophistication was outstanding.

Their determination was unquestionable.

Every player understood his role.

Every challenge was timed.

Every interception mattered.

Every second was earned.

This was not desperate defending.

It was organised resistance of the very highest quality.

England have often been criticised for failing to manage pressure on the biggest stages.

Not this time.

This was a mature, intelligent and courageous performance that demonstrated why they remain genuine contenders for the World Cup.

Now another enormous challenge awaits.

Norway.

Fresh from one of the biggest upsets of the tournament after defeating Brazil 2-1.

Many expected the five-time world champions to march into the quarter-finals.

Instead, Norway tore up the script.

England will have noticed.

Norway will arrive believing they can beat anyone.

England will arrive believing they can withstand anything.

The quarter-final promises to be another unforgettable contest.

One thing, however, is already certain.

The ghosts of 1986 no longer haunt the Estadio Azteca.

On this unforgettable night, England finally laid them to rest.