Jordan Henderson was stretchered off the Mexico City Stadium pitch and taken to hospital after falling over the advertising hoardings during England's World Cup last-16 celebrations, with Thomas Tuchel admitting the wrist injury looked 'really bad' and might require surgery.
The former Liverpool captain required oxygen as he was carried away, casting a shadow over a 3-2 victory that saw England survive a second-half red card for right-back Jarell Quansah. Tuchel told the BBC: “Not good, not good, next thing is a right defender now with the red card, Jordan just fell over and injured his wrist, it looks really bad.”
“Jordan Henderson taken to hospital after falling over advertising hoardings during England's World Cup win over Mexico.”
In his press conference, the England boss added: “He injured his wrist, he's gone to hospital, it's quite a serious injury. It doesn't fit with the night. I don't know if there will be a procedure.”
Captain Harry Kane had initially offered a positive update, saying: “Jordan [Henderson] just fell over there, I think he's okay, just something to do with his arm.” But teammate Jude Bellingham then raised fears by admitting: “He's in a bit bother but our medical team have it under control.”
The injury struck after Bellingham scored a quick-fire double to put England 2-0 up, only for Julian Quinonez to pull one back before half-time. Mexican belief soared when Quansah was sent off early in the second half, but Kane immediately responded with a penalty. Raul Jimenez added a penalty of his own to set up a tense finish, but Tuchel's side held on.
Bellingham praised his side's character: “Hard to gather it all together really. With 10 men defending how we defended our box, being clinical how we were in their box. … The players who came on, the players that started, running themselves into the ground and giving everything. That is what this team is about.”
England now face Norway in the quarter-finals, but must do so without Henderson and with Quansah suspended — a right-back crisis that Tuchel had already flagged before the injury.