Jude Bellingham’s 90-second brace put England in dreamland before a Mexico goal brought the hosts back into the contest in a frantic first half at the World Cup.
After a cagey 30 minutes at the Azteca in Mexico City, the game erupted into life.
A swift England counter-attack, led by Declan Rice, saw him release his Arsenal team-mate on the right-hand side.
After beating his man, the winger delivered a teasing ball into the box, which was met by Bellingham, who made no mistake from six yards.
It was double delight for the Real Madrid man less than two minutes later.
Another well-orchestrated attack this time gave Harry Kane space in the Mexico box, and the Three Lions skipper unselfishly squared from a shooting position, with Bellingham once again the man on the end of it to double the advantage.
It was delirium for England, but that euphoria was quickly quelled.
After Saka gave away a free kick, Mexico capitalised. A whipped ball into the box was half dealt with by Ezri Konsa, and Julian Quinones hit a sweet half-volley into the roof of the net.
It raised the noise levels in the stadium after England had briefly silenced the constant boos from the home fans.
The game remains on a knife-edge heading into the second half, but crucially, the Three Lions are in the driving seat.
