Thomas Tuchel hit out at officials and praised England’s “heroic” performance in their thrilling 3-2 win over Mexico in the World Cup last 16.
England overcame a delayed kick-off, an electric Azteca atmosphere and a red card to book their place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Jarell Quansah, at right-back, recklessly slid in and was shown a straight red in the 54th minute by referee Alireza Faghani following a VAR check.
Australian official Faghani then awarded England a stonewall penalty minutes before pointing to the spot again for a Mexico penalty – after being sent to the monitor by VAR – for Kane’s kick on Brian Gutierrez. That allowed Raul Jimenez to beat Jordan Pickford and set up a grandstand finish in the final 20 minutes.
Though Mexico’s spot-kick did not change the result, Quansah will be suspended for England’s quarter-final against Norway, but can return if England make it through to the World Cup semi-finals.
Despite glowing praise for his side, Tuchel could not hide his frustration at the officials.
“It’s just not good enough,” he told BBC Sport. “Referees are just not good enough. Fourth officials are just not good enough.
“It’s the bottom line. Is this a clear and obvious mistake for the [Mexico] penalty? For sure not, but VAR gets involved.
“They overturn a situation where he doesn’t even give a foul. Not good enough.”
England scored a quickfire second at the Azteca
Jarell Quansah was sent off early in the second half
England held firm during an absorbing final 20 minutes – with 11 minutes of additional time added on – and Tuchel was proud of the mentality on display.
“These are the moments in tournaments where you find a way to win.
“This doesn’t feel like a round-of-16 match, it feels like a final! The moment where the referee puts the whistle to his mouth, with 10 men, altitude against a home country… this is a moment of joy and a heroic performance and result”.
England’s win sets up a quarter-final clash against Norway on Saturday, after Erling Haaland scored twice to knock Brazil out of the tournament.
Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane starred again for England
‘Iconic match in an iconic stadium’
The Azteca lived up to its billing during the match, with Mexico spurred on by a lively home crowd. It followed a one-hour kick-off delay due to thunderstorms, which had been widely predicted in the build-up to the match.
“I didn’t find it hostile, more cheering and emotional,” Tuchel added. “The national anthem was unbelievable.
“We were aware of that but we refused to give in. This team did it on pure will. No words.
“They did it in an iconic match, in an iconic stadium.
“We overcame so much adversity today. Full credit. I’m very proud. A crazy match in a crazy atmosphere, and we were up against all odds.
“Even in the end it was 11 minutes (stoppage time) and he (the referee) gives another two corners to make it 12 minutes. Everything went against us.”
There was concern for Jordan Henderson at the end of the match, with the midfielder carried off the pitch needing oxygen after falling over the advertising boards while celebrating.
Thomas Tuchel has said Jordan Henderson has suffered a ‘serious’ wrist injury during the celebrations of England’s win over Mexico
The FA have confirmed Henderson will not travel back to Kansas City with the squad this evening and will stay back in Mexico City with a member of England medical staff.
“Not good. Jordan fell over and injured his wrist. It looks really bad,” Tuchel said.
“It’s a very special night. Mixed feelings because I’m exhausted and emotional, and sad because Jordan injured his wrist and is in hospital.
“It doesn’t fit the evening that Jordan is not with us.”
The key moments from the Azteca
- 36: GOAL! Rice drives England forward on the counter before Saka crosses to Bellingham to head in the opener.
- 38: GOAL! Just 98 seconds later, England score from kick-off as Kane squares for Bellingham to bundle in.
- 43: GOAL! Mexico hit back as Quinones smashes in at a soft free-kick.
- 45+3: SAVE! Pickford flies high to his right to tip over Jimenez’s header as Mexico push for equaliser late in the half.
- 50: OFF THE WOODWORK! O’Reilly hits the right post with a shot from outside the box as England make fast start in second half.
- 55: RED CARD! Quansah is shown a straight red card for a reckless sliding challenge.
- 60: GOAL! Kane buries a penalty after Gordon is brought down by the goalkeeper.
- 69: GOAL! Jimenez pulls one back with penalty after Kane penalised by VAR for foul.
- 74: SUBS! Tuchel switches to a back five, bringing on Burn and Spence, to try and see out the win.
- 90+10: ALMOST AN OWN-GOAL! Stones puts the ball inches past his own post.
- 90+11: FULL TIME! England heroically hold on in 11 minutes of added time to earn famous victory.
England’s greatest strength is refusing to lose
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Dan Burn reacts to England’s surreal game against Mexico
Sky Sports’ David Richardson:
How will England be beaten? That is what the remaining countries at this tournament will start to ask themselves.
Level with Croatia, behind to DR Congo, down to 10 men at the Azteca – Thomas Tuchel has built a mentality monster that is overcoming everything thrown at them.
“When the going gets tough, they never give up, they never lose belief,” he said after this memorable victory. This England team has guts.
When they had to dig in, when Dan Burn was called upon for his first minutes at a major tournament, when Jordan Pickford had to come and punch every cross, they could do it.
But this side also has the world-class quality in Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane to go punch-for-punch with anyone. Anthony Gordon delivered his best England performance at just the right time too.
Tuchel admitted his side can play better, that there is still a “disconnect” in their performances but this increasingly feels like a team that refuses to lose, and that is perhaps the most dangerous quality any World Cup contender can possess.
