England's dramatic 3-2 victory over Mexico may only have booked a place in the World Cup quarter-finals, but the manner of the performance has already sparked comparisons with some of the greatest nights in Three Lions history.
Winning knockout matches is one thing. Winning away to the tournament hosts, at high altitude, in one of world football's most intimidating stadiums and with ten men for much of the second half is something else entirely.
Whether England go on to lift the World Cup remains to be seen, but this victory already feels like one supporters will remember for years to come.
Why Winning at the Estadio Azteca Was So Extraordinary
Before kick-off, the challenge facing Thomas Tuchel's side was obvious.
The Estadio Azteca has long been regarded as one of football's most difficult away grounds, with Mexico boasting an outstanding record there. Add in more than 2,200 metres of altitude, a partisan home crowd and the pressure of knockout football, and England were facing far more than just eleven opponents.
Yet instead of shrinking under the occasion, the Three Lions controlled large periods of the game and quietened over 80,000 home supporters with an assured first-half display.
England Finally Overcame Their Ten-Man Curse
When Jarell Quansah was shown a straight red card early in the second half, many England fans feared history was about to repeat itself.
Previous tournaments have seen costly dismissals derail promising campaigns, from David Beckham's red card against Argentina in 1998 to Wayne Rooney's sending off against Portugal in 2006.
This England side responded differently.
Rather than collapsing, they showed resilience. Harry Kane's penalty gave England breathing space before every player threw themselves into protecting the lead during a relentless Mexican assault.
It was a display of maturity that England teams of previous generations often struggled to produce.
England's Defence Passed Its Toughest Test Yet
The final stages were less about flair and more about character.
With Dan Burn, John Stones and Djed Spence helping reinforce the defence, England absorbed wave after wave of Mexican pressure.
Despite the intimidating atmosphere, clear-cut chances remained limited, with Tuchel's side showing organisation, discipline and composure under immense pressure.
Sometimes knockout football isn't about playing beautifully, it's about finding a way to win.
England did exactly that.
Knocking Out the Hosts Makes This Victory Even Bigger
Very few teams eliminate a host nation at the World Cup.
Home support, familiar surroundings and favourable conditions often provide a significant advantage, particularly in knockout football.
Mexico had all of those advantages.
England simply refused to let them matter.
Silencing one of football's loudest crowds while dealing with altitude, pressure and adversity made the victory feel even more significant.
Has Thomas Tuchel Changed England's Mentality?
Perhaps the biggest takeaway wasn't tactical, it was psychological.
England have often been criticised for falling short when momentum swings against them in major tournaments.
Against Mexico, there were multiple moments when the match threatened to unravel.
The red card.
The roaring home crowd.
A late Mexican comeback.
Yet England never appeared to panic.
Instead, they stayed disciplined, trusted the game plan and found a way through.
That mentality could prove just as valuable as any tactical adjustment if they are to challenge for the World Cup.
Could This Be England's Defining World Cup Performance?
England's 1966 World Cup triumph will always stand alone until another trophy is lifted.
But when discussing individual World Cup performances, the victory over Mexico deserves to be part of the conversation.
It combined technical quality, resilience, discipline and togetherness in circumstances that would have defeated many previous England sides.
If Tuchel's team goes on to lift the trophy, supporters may look back on the night at the Estadio Azteca not simply as another knockout win but as the moment this England side proved it had something different.
