"ENJOY this remarkable World Cup experience!" the enthusiastic American-style announcer urged, with 40 minutes remaining before the postponed start in Mexico City.

Looking across the fog-covered slopes of the Estadio Azteca, soaked through layers by persistent rain and pulsing with relentless crowd noise, the term enjoy hardly fit the overwhelming sensations.

England faced and conquered the setting itself. Advice often warns against engaging the occasion, yet Mexico at the Azteca offers little else. Avoiding it would mean not competing at all.

What unfolded became an intense, draining evening of football that engaged the mind, body, bones, core, blood and nerves. England beat not just the Mexican side across 90 minutes plus lengthy added time, but also the atmosphere, symbols and past echoes.

Reduced to 10 players against the hostile energy of the Azteca supporters, the team ventured into unusual depths. It felt like total absorption, a match resembling a surreal duel between intense forces.

England advances to Miami to face Norway on Saturday for a World Cup semi-final spot, marking their strongest away knockout result in a modest field.

They competed for nearly 50 minutes a player short against a home side in its revered arena. They seized control twice, nearly lost it twice, then clung on desperately, with Jordan Henderson requiring treatment after an exuberant celebration.

Reason faded that day as time warped strangely, slowing then racing before halting or reversing. The final 20 minutes especially descended into something dreamlike rather than standard sport.

By then Raul Jimenez had converted a penalty to make it 3-2 to England, who were down a man following Jarell Quansah's dismissal. The task was surviving 20 more minutes of regulation plus extra time while Mexico pressed forward relentlessly.

Football seemed abstract and larger than tactics or formations. Mexico City pulses with constant motion even in calm periods, resembling a dynamic futuristic hub where construction never ceases.

This was one of its quieter phases. Football dominated from early on, with roads near the Angel de la Independencia filled with horns, drums, foam sprays and green-clad fans around the ceremonial figure, as streets shut down progressively.

The buildup felt relaxed and natural, hinting at a massive unfolding event ready to release its emotional force.

From midday a dramatic storm hit with sharp lightning and building-shaking thunder. Heavy rain turned the city into flowing water channels and overflows. Were England prepared for such conditions?

The Azteca, updated yet retaining its stark concrete form with sturdy walkways and wing-like structures, made even the delayed kickoff seem monumental from high seats.

Noise stayed steady, rising during the pre-match Wonderwall track amid strong boos. The anthems, small shirts and FIFA elements carried a certain grandeur.

By then the occasion formed its own isolated realm where nothing outside mattered momentarily.

Shifting to the closing 10 minutes, England gasped for air while leading 3-2 but sensing potential loss. Time rarely aids in such spots. It was somehow only the 80th minute. Thomas Tuchel stayed fully engaged, analyzing every heavy, wet passage of play.

He introduced Dan Burn, Djed Spence and John Stones for a flat five-man defense as Mexico advanced fluidly yet without sharp threat, like scattered seeds in wind.

Every England player stayed immersed in the close battles, precise positioning and need for balance under pressure, where each second counted distinctly.

England confronted both the event and venue. Mexico had remained unbeaten in 10 World Cup games here. The stadium embodies the tournament through its 24 matches and rich lore of hazy summer scenes, Diego Maradona's rise and the 1970 Brazil joy that turned the pitch into a celebration of the game's artistry.

England's prior Azteca recollections involved Maradona's skill and trickery plus Peter Shilton's frantic gestures from 40 years earlier. Time proved oddly elastic once more.

At 86 minutes an offside call and yellow card offered brief respite for Mexico. By 88 minutes action centered solely around England's goal, with Spence clearing acrobatically from two attackers. Anything to survive.

Harry Kane departed after exhausting efforts. Eleven minutes of added time felt punishing yet passed.

Recalling the actual kickoff earlier seemed distant. Tuchel opted for stability initially with Quansah at right-back. England's opener involved a long Jordan Pickford clearance into the area, suiting their direct style against Mexico's swarming approach.

England performed solidly early, slowing play to draw whistles. Tuchel paced in his blue raincoat, reacting animatedly as Pickford saved well from a Jimenez header on 15 minutes.

Kane saw limited touches initially but England led on 36 minutes when Bukayo Saka crossed for Jude Bellingham's header. Bellingham added a second soon after via a determined finish on a counter.

Perhaps a two-goal lead invites trouble. England wobbled and conceded before the break as the crowd erupted. Halftime arrived as relief, yet England emerged stronger until Quansah's red card on 53 minutes for a reckless challenge. He had impressed beforehand with composed defending.

England extended the lead via Kane's penalty. The tense phase followed. Mexico began shooting from odd positions as fatigue set in. Finally the whistle ended the spectacle, players dropping where they stood.

Recovery will take time. "The players are exhausted to the next level and it is beautiful to see," Tuchel noted with a satisfied expression. He spoke accurately.