Thomas Tuchel saluted a “heroic performance” from England after they secured a historic 3-2 victory over Mexico at the Estadio Azteca, advancing to the World Cup quarter-finals against Norway. Many England players collapsed to the turf at the end of a highly charged, emotional night, having repelled waves of pressure for most of the second half after Jarell Quansah’s red card. Tuchel said the win felt like winning a final and praised his exhausted side’s attitude.
Tuchel: 'Pure will' and 'iconic match'
“A heroic performance and a heroic result,” Tuchel said. “I’m so happy with the players, and also for me, to live this experience in the last two days. Such a special memory, and against all the adversity it makes it very special for us. If a team has heart and belief then it’s this team. They did it on pure will. No words. Iconic match, iconic stadium, we overcame so much adversity today.” Mexico had not lost at their fabled home since 2013, but Jude Bellingham’s first-half double and a Harry Kane penalty after Quansah’s dismissal edged out the hosts despite a fevered atmosphere and altitude concerns.
England's resilience after red card
“I felt in the buildup that it never felt like a round-of-16 game,” Tuchel said. “It still doesn’t, it feels like we won a final or something.” England made their rare attacks count before half-time and dug in with a five-man defence in the latter stages. “The round of 16 is the moment in the tournament when you find a way to win. We did it with full mentality and heart. I’m so proud of the mentality and the way of this team. It’s a very special night for us. Of course the players are exhausted, on the next level, which is beautiful to see because even this gives a connection with the fans.”
Henderson hospitalized, Quansah red card disputed
The biggest cloud over England’s night was an injury to Jordan Henderson, who damaged a wrist after slipping while vaulting an advertising hoarding during post-match celebrations. He will stay in hospital overnight with a member of the medical staff and will not travel with the team back to their Kansas City base. “I’m exhausted and emotional but also sad because Jordan is in hospital with quite a serious injury to his wrist,” Tuchel said. “It doesn’t fit with this evening that Jordan is not with us. We are celebrating and still thinking about Jordan at the same time.” Tuchel was less than impressed with the 54th-minute red card for Quansah, whose challenge on Jesús Gallardo was initially not deemed a foul by referee Alireza Faghani but was upgraded after a VAR review. Mexico’s second goal, a Raúl Jiménez penalty, also came after a VAR review Tuchel queried. “Just not good enough, the referees are just not good enough, fourth officials are just not good enough, that’s the bottom line,” Tuchel said. “He didn’t even give the foul, he didn’t even overturn a yellow to a red. They overturn a situation where he doesn’t even give a foul. It’s crazy, another right-sided defender out. Jarell is very upset of course, it’s disappointing and a setback.”
Players reflect on historic win
England were physically spent; Kane conducted post-match interviews having lost his voice. Jordan Pickford, who made two crucial saves from Jiménez, called the occasion “a bucket list memory”. Bellingham, who delivered a remarkable all-round performance, said: “In big pressure moments in years gone by watching as a fan, as a kid, England probably would have crumbled but we stuck together until the last second. The players who came on, the players that started, running themselves into the ground and giving everything. Norway pose a different threat, some that we know really well, some world-class players in there, so we will have to be ready. My God, if you can’t enjoy a night like this, just for one night, then I don’t know what it’s worth.” Tuchel confirmed England would rest upon returning to Kansas City. “I will not rewatch our match or watch anything about Norway in the next 24 hours. I will do one full day without football and then we will think ahead.”
