Carmona shields the ball from Josh Wolff (Allsport)

By Paul Walker, PA Sport, Jeonju

In a World Cup of shocks, the USA reaching the quarter-finals has to rank as one of the biggest.

A first half goal from Brian McBride and a stunning second from Landon Donovan gave the States their piece of history, having not got this far since 1930.

Mexico's day of disaster was compounded by skipper Rafael Marquez being sent off in the 87th minute for a late clash of heads with Cobi Jones.

USA boss Bruce Arena, who can now look forward to a quarter-final in Ulsan on Friday against Germany, gave first full appearances in this competition to a couple of England-based players.

Fulham's Eddie Lewis had played just 16 minutess as a substitute so far in the competition, while Crystal Palace's Pablo Mastroeni got his first taste of action, with Frankie Hejduk suspended Jeff Agoos injured.

Mexico kept the side which held Italy in their last group match to qualify for this last 16 clash of two bitter neighbours, the match expecting to break all TV records back in Central America but unlikely to faintly bother the US nation, expect for the Hispanic population of LA.

The Mexicans, who have only previously reached the last eight twice - on both occasions when they were tournament hosts - started confidently, moving the ball freely and pinning the States back.

But on seven minutes USA stormed into the lead after a brave right wing run by Sunderland's Claudio Reyna. Josh Wolff laid the ball back into the box, and Brian McBride lashed it into the net.

The goal lifted the States and when Donovan was bodychecked by Marquez, Reyna fired a free-kick hard into the Mexican wall.

But Mexico surged back and on 25 minutes USA goalkeeper Friedel needed to plunge to his right to beat away a fierce shot from Cuauhtemoc Blanco.

They almost equalised on 35 minutes when Friedel failed to get any distance on a punch as a high ball dropped just under his bar, inviting a penalty box volley from Blanco which tthe Blackburn stopper reacted superbly to, punching the ball to safety.

But it was not all USA defiance, a minute later Oscar Perez produced a reflex save with his legs at the other end when Wolff had a golden chance from 12 yards to double the US advantage.

Mexico threw everything in after the break, with Reyna, Mastroeni and Wolff all picking up yellow cards as America fought to stay in contention.

The States were under relentless pressure, but they kept Mexico out and somehow found the control and composure to grab a priceless second goal.

From the depths of desperate defence, the Americans broke with stunning effect on 65 minutes when Lewis raced down the left and sent over a fine cross which Donovan dived forward to power past Perez.

Mexico were now getting desperate and Luis Hernandez was booked for diving in the box on 65 minutes, with Blanco following him into the book following an incident with Mastroeni.

The Mexicans played their last card on 77 minutes when they introduced veteran Alberto Garcia Aspe, a folk hero back home who had yet to figure in the tournament so far, for Gerardo Torrado. The Americans responded with Jones replacing McBride. Aspe's first action was to be booked for fouling Jones.

Friedel and Salvador Carmona continued the booking spree, before Monaco star Marquez was red carded for his assault on Jones.

Teams

Mexico: Perez, Marquez, Carmona, Vidrio (Mercado 46), Torrado (Garcia Aspe 78), Morales (Hernandez 28), Luna, Johan Rodriguez, Arellano, Borguetti, Blanco.

Subs Not Used: Brown, Caballero, Campos, Gabriel De Anda, Garcia, Palencia, Alberto Rodriguez, Sanchez, Villa.

Sent Off: Marquez (88).

Booked: Vidrio, Hernandez, Blanco, Carmona.

USA: Friedel, Berhalter, Sanneh, Pope, Mastroeni (Llamosa 90), O'Brien, Lewis, Reyna, Wolff (Stewart 59), McBride (Jones 79), Donovan.

Subs Not Used: Agoos, Beasley, Cherundolo, Keller, Mathis, Meola, Moore, Regis.

Booked: Pope, Mastroeni, Wolff, Berhalter, Friedel.

Goals: McBride 8, Donovan 65.

Ref: V M Pereira (Portugal).