Jarell Quansah was shown a straight red card as England coaches scrapped with their Mexican counterparts in a frantic World Cup last-16 match in Mexico City.
The England right back flew in to a challenge early into the second half and when no foul was given, both sets of coaches soon found themselves embroiled in a touchline scrap.
England assistant Anthony Barry was among those who got stuck in to the Mexico bench on the touchline, moments before a VAR review saw Quansah’s foul reviewed as tempers escalated.
So much had gone right for England up to this point with two Jude Bellingham, scored 98 seconds apart, in the first half putting them in to a 2-0 lead before Mexico pulled one back just before half-time.
But tensions boiled over five minutes into the second half when Quansah’s rash challenge was initially waved away by the referee.
At the other end, England’s Anthony Gordon was then recklessly and cynically fouled and on the touchline all hell broke loose.
Jarell Quansah was shown a straight red card for this reckless challenge in Mexico Cityy
Quansah was distraught at the red card, but England rallied inside a fraught Azteca Stadium
England assistant Anthony Barry (right) was in the thick of a heated touchline brawl of coaches
Daily Mail Sport reporters reporting live from the Azteca Stadium spotted Barry in the thick of the touchline spat as he defended his colleagues and England’s players inside one of the most fraught atmospheres at the World Cup.
Quansah was distraught as he was shown a straight red card, but England refused to be rocked by going down to 10 men.
Within minutes they landed what looked to be a knockout blow of their own when Gordon was fouled inside the penalty area and captain Harry Kane, as he did in the opening group game against Croatia, converted from the penalty spot to make it 3-1.
The drama wasn’t to end there, though, as Mexico soon got a penalty of their own.
Kane this time the man at fault as he clipped the foot of Mexico’s Brian Gutierrez and, again, having not given that foul in real time it was referred to VAR, where after review, the penalty was given.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford dived the right way but Wolves striker Raul Jimenez converted the pressure penalty to make it 3-2 just before the second half hydration break.
