Jude Bellingham scored twice and Harry Kane converted a penalty as 10-man England held on for a thrilling 3-2 victory against Mexico to set up a World Cup quarter-final with Norway. The win came amid a rearguard action that showcased the tactical flexibility of Thomas Tuchel, whose future had been under scrutiny after a narrow escape against DR Congo in the previous round.
Tuchel, given a contract extension earlier this year by the Football Association, was brought in because of his CV, reputation and remarkable track record in knockout football — a 74 per cent record at club level and Champions League glory with Chelsea. Despite doubts over his squad selection, which left out Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Maguire in favour of players like Dan Burn, the FA remained resolute. “Thomas Tuchel would not have been sacked if England had lost to Mexico,” wrote John Cross, the chief football writer at the Mirror. However, had England lost to DR Congo, Tuchel would have been under severe pressure, and it may have been difficult to survive.
“Jude Bellingham scores twice as 10-man England beat Mexico 3-2 to reach World Cup quarter-finals.”
The quarter-final in Miami on Saturday now offers Tuchel the chance to prove his methods. Against Mexico, England did not press high or aggressively, adapting to the altitude, but found a way to win through Burn’s resilient defending and a brilliant cameo from John Stones. “In the space of one win, the perception has changed,” Cross noted.
The victory drew praise from political leaders. Sir Keir Starmer called it “one of the greatest England matches I’ve ever seen,” while Donald Trump showered praise on captain Harry Kane as a “great player.” The celebrations, however, came at a cost: midfielder Jordan Henderson was taken to hospital after a freak accident during the post-match festivities and stayed in Mexico City rather than travelling back with his team-mates.
England now stand three wins from lifting the World Cup. For Tuchel, the path suddenly looks clearer.