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Thomas Tuchel's side made it hard but handed the battling Mexico side its first FIFA World Cup defeat at the iconic stadium, and only its third of all time at the venue, to set up a last-eight clash with Norway, which shocked Brazil 2-1 earlier in the day.

Mexico had only lost two competitive games at the Azteca in 89 matches since 1966, but England deserved to make it three.

Mexico, which beat Ecuador 2-0 in the Round of 32 for its first knockout-stage win in 40 years, had lost only two competitive games at the Azteca in 89 matches since 1966 but England made it three with a performance of attacking verve and defensive grit.

"It was a crazy game," Kane said. "We had to fight. We had to find something. I can't really talk. Yeah, the occasion, the team, everything against us. We found a way."

After the game was delayed by an hour because of thunderstorms, Mexico attacked from the start backed by its fanatical support, who raised the decibel level even higher than in its earlier matches at the home fortress, but England held firm and managed to take the sting out of the game.

Mexico's only notable early chance came after 15 minutes when Raul Jimenez's diving header was brilliantly saved by Jordan Pickford after a pinpoint cross from Roberto Alvarado.

Pickford, who was to pull off several key saves, was making his 17th FIFA World Cup appearance to equal fellow keeper Peter Shilton as the all-time record holder for England's men's team.

Player of the match Bellingham put England ahead with a diving header from Bukayo Saka's fine cross just past the half-hour and made it 2-0 within two minutes after another break down the right, with captain Harry Kane providing the centre.

The Mexicans inside the Azteca responded with chants of "Yes we can" and their players responded when livewire winger Julian Quinones volleyed home inside the box after a scramble from a free-kick to get the hosts back into the match.

They got further encouragement after the break when England defender Jarell Quansah was sent off for a rash challenge.

The visitors kept their cool, though, and after Anthony Gordon was fouled by Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel on the hour, Kane calmly scored from the spot under the most intense pressure imaginable.

Just as England looked to enjoy some breathing space, though, Kane gave away a penalty as he tried to clear the ball from his own penalty area, and after a video assisnt referee (VAR) review the referee pointed to the spot. Raul Jimenez stepped up to make it 3-2 and give Mexico hope again.

With a litte more than 20 minutes to go, England had its back to the wall and had to dig deep to keep Mexico at bay. Despite giving up most of the possession, the Three Lions hung on for more than 100 minutes with stoppage-time calculated at 11 minutes to seal a famous victory in the last match of this FIFA World Cup in Mexico.

"We needed everything and it was super difficult and always in the moments when we thought we catch the momentum, we had like setbacks, but that's a proper mentality. Well done," Tuchel said.

"When the going gets tough, they never give up, they never lose belief. It was one step more."

Mexico had not lost a competitive game at home since 2013 but had to say farewell to a tournament it has graced with passion on the pitch, in the stands and across the country. Its fans sang their hearts out until the very end.

"You can't make mistakes because they punish you," Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said.

"We had a couple of errors there, and it saddens me for the people, but my players can be at peace because they did everything they could against a great team."

It was England's first visit to the famous stadium since losing to Argentina in the 1986 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, where Diego Maradona's infamous "Hand of God" goal and mazy dribble through a hapless defence sank Bobby Robson's side.

England now travels to Miami to face Norway, while Mexico's excellent campaign ends with a sizeable dent in its proud home record at the Azteca.