It was a night of wild joy, sudden injury and sharp disagreement. England's 3-2 victory over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium sent Thomas Tuchel's side into a World Cup quarter-final against Norway – but the cost was heavy and the celebrations have already divided opinion.
The squad gathered in the dressing room, jumping and dancing, with Tuchel firmly involved. At one point, he looked on in concern as John Stones appeared to hurt his shoulder – only for the defender to reveal he was pretending, fist-bumping the air as Declan Rice laughed hysterically. On the pitch, the entire team joined supporters in a rendition of Oasis's 'Wonderwall', Harry Kane belting out the lyrics and later losing his voice during his BBC interview, leaving pundit Wayne Rooney in stitches.
“Henderson out with severe arm injury; Rooney says celebrations 'too soon' as England face Norway.”
But Rooney, speaking on the BBC panel, was far less amused by the exuberance. “I’m a bit more old school. After you win anything… I know you’ve got to enjoy it, but I think it’s a bit too soon,” he said, disagreeing with fellow pundit Cesar Azpilicueta. Azpilicueta had argued: “As a player, when you have had these kinds of games against a host, this atmosphere, you have to enjoy it. Life is about balance, football is about balance, you have to enjoy it. Now they will recover and be ready for another game.”
The recovery will have to be swift, and without several key players. Joy turned to concern when Jordan Henderson suffered a severe arm injury after falling over advertising hoardings; he has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament. Reece James, Djed Spence and Jarell Quansah are all doubts for the quarter-final. Quansah is suspended after a red card against Mexico, though the FA could appeal. James has missed the last three games with a hamstring issue, while Spence reported discomfort after the win.
Tuchel’s side now brace for Norway in a tie that could define their tournament. The gritty win at the Azteca, as one report described it, “has potential to be transformative.” But with a depleted squad and a pundit questioning whether the party came too early, the question is whether England can channel the emotion into a deeper run.