England lay their ghosts to rest in mad Mexico victory

MEXICO CITY — On a day when Fifa’s corruption sank to a nadir, an Azteca epic restored football’s soul.

And what better way to finally lay the beast to rest. Forty years on from Diego Armando Maradona’s brutal assault on the English psyche, Thomas Tuchel’s own celestial being healed an entire nation, against all odds.

Jude Bellingham’s first-half double, given all the mitigating circumstances, somewhat even eclipses what Maradona produced at the Azteca in 1986. The overall team performance, under the most excruciating pressure and scrutiny, as monumental as anything since 1966.

For those fortunate to be present in this footballing cathedral, we will all remember where we were for decades to come. Where, for once, England came out on the right side of history.

The healing process started early. Mexico is a country that continues to wrestle with itself, whether its unrelenting fight with drug cartels or socioeconomic issues. Until their national team plays football.