Published On 7/6/2026
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Last update: 12:57 (Mecca time)
England coach Thomas Tuchel credited “pure mentality and strong determination” after ten of his team’s players survived an exciting match at Azteca Stadium and withstood a sweeping attack in the second half to win 3-2 over Mexico and qualify for the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup in the early hours of Monday.
England appeared to be on their way to a comfortable win after taking a quick lead with two quick goals scored by Jude Bellingham, but were forced to defend desperately after Jarel Quansah was sent off, sparking a Mexican uprising that left the England players gasping in the thin air of Mexico City.
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Tuchel feels proud
Tuchel told reporters: “I am very proud of the mentality and the way I behaved. The round of 32 and the round of 16 are two moments in the tournament that you have to find a way to win. We achieved this with a pure mentality and strong determination.”
He added, “We overcame all the obstacles that stood in our way. I am very proud of the team’s mentality and will.”
In a very exciting atmosphere at the Azteca Stadium, England presented its best performance in the tournament so far, both defensively and offensively.
After surviving a hostile opening period, England took a two-goal lead and Bellingham showed the instinct of a sharp-shooter to score twice from close range in the space of two minutes.
However, the chaos was only just beginning when Mexico pulled one back through World Cup top scorer Julián Quiñones, further inflaming an already fiery atmosphere.
When Quansah was sent off for a rash challenge nine minutes into the second half, fans nearly tore off the roof of the famous stadium before a Harry Kane penalty gave England some short-lived respite.
But the team soon faced pressure again when Mexico won a penalty kick successfully converted by Raul Jimenez, so England maintained the lead until the final whistle.
England defended calmly and confidently, and limited the danger of the home side, who rarely threatened the goal, while coach Tuchel’s defense line was forced to scatter the ball randomly at times to hold on during the 12 minutes of stoppage time.
The biggest test
The match was described as the biggest test for England in the tournament so far, against the co-hosting country, at a high altitude above sea level, and in front of the support of a noisy local crowd.
The importance of this confrontation was not lost on the England coach, who said that the size of the occasion made him feel that he was at an advanced stage in the tournament.
Tuchel said: “In the period leading up to the match, we did not feel like it was a round of 16 confrontation, but rather we felt almost as if we had won a final or something like that.”
He continued, “This last moment when the referee puts the whistle in his mouth and you know that you have overcome it. Playing for 40 or 50 minutes with ten players at this height against the host country, and against a very strong Mexican team, is a moment of great joy. It was a heroic performance and a heroic result in the end.”
However, the evening witnessed a bitter moment, as midfielder Jordan Henderson was injured during the celebrations, while trying to jump over an advertising billboard after greeting England fans, and he is now in hospital.
Tuchel said, “I also have mixed feelings because I am exhausted, overcome with emotions, and sad about Jordan’s wrist injury. He is currently in the hospital. It is a very serious injury. It is unfortunate that Jordan will be absent from us this evening.”
