Alan Shearer has admitted he was wrong about England's chances at this World Cup. After watching the Three Lions defeat Mexico 4-1 in the round of 16, the record Premier League goalscorer said he now believes the team can win the tournament. "I didn't truly believe England could win this World Cup - but I've changed my mind, and I think everyone else has too," Shearer told BBC Sport.
The former England captain described the performance at the Azteca Stadium as "the best team performance I've seen from any England side in my lifetime". He pointed to the altitude, the hostile atmosphere, and playing with 10 men as factors that made the result even more impressive. "I don't think I've ever witnessed togetherness or team spirit like that," he added.
“Alan Shearer now believes England can win World Cup after Mexico victory.”
With England set to face Norway in a quarter-final in Miami, Shearer has urged Thomas Tuchel to keep faith with Djed Spence at right-back. The Tottenham defender has faced criticism during the tournament but Shearer believes dropping him would be "extremely harsh", especially given injuries and bans in defence. Reece James is sidelined with a hamstring complaint and Jarell Quansah is suspended for two matches.
"It would be extremely harsh on Djed Spence if he didn't start," Shearer said via BetFair. "He started left back, he started right back, he then went to left back when he brought him on the other evening and I thought he was outstanding." Shearer predicted Spence would start at right-back, with Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa at centre-half, Nico O'Reilly at left-back, and Jordan Pickford in goal.
The former Newcastle striker also singled out wingers Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka for praise, saying they excelled at taking on defenders on the outside. "Gordon, when he first got the ball, his first touch of the night was to go on the outside, and then he had the defender on toast every time," Shearer said. He wants Tuchel to stick with the same attacking quartet: Saka, Harry Kane, Gordon and Jude Bellingham behind the striker.
Shearer, now 55, recalled the feeling after England's 4-1 win over the Netherlands at Euro '96, when he thought "we can go all the way". He believes this squad can go at least one step further than that semi-final defeat. The question now is whether Tuchel will heed Shearer's advice as England chase their first World Cup semi-final since 2018.