England beat Mexico at World Cup: Thomas Tuchel hits out at referees after thrilling Three Lions win | Football news

Thomas Tuchel called the officials and praised England’s “heroic” performance in their 3-2 victory over Mexico in the Last 16 of the World Cup.

England overcame a delayed game, an electric Azteca spirit and a red card to secure a place in the quarter finals of the World Cup.

Jarell Quansah, right back, came in carelessly and was shown a red card in the 54th minute by referee Alireza Faghani following a VAR check.

Australia official Faghani then awarded England a stonewall penalty minutes before pointing to the spot again with Mexico’s 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 game in the final 20 minutes.

Although Mexican football did not change the result, Quansah will be suspended for England’s quarter-final match against Norway, but he can return if England advances to the semi-finals of the World Cup.

Despite the glowing praise from his side, Tuchel could not hide his frustration with the officials.

“It’s not good enough,” he said BBC Sport. “There are not enough referees, the fourth officials are not good.

“That’s important. Is this a clear and obvious mistake [Mexico] the penalty? Certainly not, but VAR is involved.

“They’re destroying the situation where he doesn’t even give an insult. It’s not enough.”

England held firm for an enthralling 20 minutes – with 11 minutes of extra time added – and Tuchel was proud of the imagination on display.

“These are the moments in tournaments where you find a way to win.

“This doesn’t sound like a round-of-16 game, it sounds like a final! The moment when the referee puts the whistle in his mouth, with 10 men, the height against the home country … this is a moment of joy and heroic performance and result”.

England’s victory sets up a quarter-final clash in Norway on Saturday, after that Erling Haaland knock twice Brazil without competition.

‘Historic game in the stadium’

The Azteca met their costs midway through the game, with Mexico buoyed by the home crowd. A one-hour delay followed due to thunderstorms, which had been widely predicted in the run-up to the game.

“I didn’t find it hostile, it was very exciting and emotional,” added Tuchel. “The national anthem was unbelievable.

“We knew that but we refused to agree. This group did it out of pure will.

“They did it in the main game, in the stadium.

“We overcame a lot of difficulties today. Full credit. I’m proud. It was a crazy game in a crazy situation, and we were facing all the problems.

“Even in the end it was 11 minutes (stoppage time) and he (the referee) gives two more corners to make it 12 minutes. Everything is against us.”

There was concern Jordan Henderson at the end of the game, the midfielder left the field in need of oxygen after falling on the billboards while celebrating.

The FA have confirmed that Henderson will not be returning to Kansas City with the squad this evening and will remain in Mexico City with a member of England’s medical staff.

“It’s not good. Jordan fell and injured his wrist. It looks really bad,” said Tuchel.

“It’s a very special night. It’s mixed emotions because I’m tired and sad, and I’m sad because Jordan hurt his wrist and is in the hospital.

“It’s not the same tonight without Jordan.”

Important moments from the Azteca

• 36: GOAL! Rice drives England ahead on the counter before Saka crosses for Bellingham to open the game.
• 38: GOAL! After 98 seconds, England scored from the kick-off as Kane squared for Bellingham to rally.
• 43: GOAL! Mexico hit back as Quinones struck a soft free-kick.
• 45+3: WAIT! Pickford flies high on the right to head over Jimenez as Mexico push for an equalizer late in the half.
• 50: GET OUT OF THE BUSH! O’Reilly hit the target with a shot from outside the box as England made a quick start to the second half.
• 55: RED CARD! Quansah is shown a straight red card for a reckless sliding challenge.
• 60: GOAL! Kane buries the penalty after Gordon is brought down by the keeper.
• 69: GOAL! Jimenez pulls one back from the penalty spot after Kane is penalized by VAR for a foul.
• 74: SUBSCRIBERS! Tuchel switches to a back five, bringing on Burn and Spence, to try and see out the win.
• 90+10: ALMOST OWNED A GOAL! Stones puts the ball inches above his post.
• 90+11: FULL TIME! England held on 11 minutes into extra time to claim a famous victory.

England’s greatest strength is its refusal to lose

Sky Sports’ David Richardson:

How will England be beaten? That is what the remaining countries in this competition will start asking themselves.

Level with Croatia, behind DR Congo, down to 10 men at Azteca – Thomas Tuchel has created a mental monster that overcomes everything thrown at them.

“When the situation becomes difficult, they don’t give up, they don’t lose hope,” he said after this unforgettable victory. This England team is brave.

When they have to come in, when Dan Burn is called up for his first minutes in a major tournament, when Jordan Pickford has to come on and hit all the crosses, they can do it.

But this side also has world-class quality in Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane to go punch-for-punch with anyone. Anthony Gordon did his best for England at the right time again.

Tuchel admitted that his side could play better, that there is still “discontinuity” in their game but this is increasingly sounding like a team that doesn’t want to lose, and perhaps the most dangerous level any World Cup contender could have.