Mexico 2-3 England: Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup decisions could make the difference after historic win | Football news

Was that England’s biggest World Cup victory abroad? Sir Geoff Hurst asked the question himself, suggesting that the 3-2 win over Mexico in the round of 16 could be the best performance since the 1966 Wembley final.

There was France in 1982 and Argentina 20 years after that, but those were group stage. There were two quarter-final victories to consider, to be one step closer to glory: a lucky victory over Cameroon and a typical victory over Sweden.

Few will forget David Platt’s extra-time volley against Belgium in 1990 or the cathartic penalty shootout win over Colombia that exorcised not just Gareth Southgate but a generation of England fans. Special memories.

But this was different. Mexico away on a high in front of a crowd of 80,824 at Azteca Stadium? Playing with 10 men what is the best part of the hour when the referee calls a halt to a physically and emotionally draining contest?

This was England’s time – the night of making believers of the masses. Norway in Miami in the last eight will not be easy but neither is the French team that England played against in this stage three and a half years ago in Qatar. This is a big opportunity.

Norway have a hulk in Erling Haaland but England have Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, a powerful partnership to rise to the top. From the rise of the Azteca to what unusual atmosphere in the coming weeks? England is dreaming.

It is a belief reinforced by the presence of Thomas Tuchel on the bench. It took some time for the coach who won the Champions League to believe. There were slips of the tongue and slips on the field in friendly matches. Selection decisions were questioned.

The World Cup games were not without the same old hiccups and suspicions. But if there is reason to believe, which is a source of hope that it could be different this time, it is almost as good as Tuchel’s determination as England’s two most talented strikers.

From the beginning, his in-game management was marked as a potential departure point from what had happened before. It’s been that way ever since the two substitutes – Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford – combined to part ways with Croatia.

Anthony Gordon also provided Kane with two assists off the bench to change the game against DR Congo. But it was Tuchel’s defensive changes that helped secure the win over Mexico as England struggled after Jarell Quansah’s red card.

The introduction of Dan Burn certainly invited pressure when Tuchel switched to five with 15 minutes of 90 remaining but the decision paid off. Did he expect Javier Aguirre’s move to send another man? It seemed to play into England’s hands.

Mexico awarded the ball after falling into the penalty box which was full of professional central defenders. These England defenders have been receiving approval. It was hard to shake the feeling that the Mexican boss was too smart.

The substitutes, in particular, did an amazing job of repelling the attack. No player on the pitch created more offenses than Burn – and he came on in the 75th minute. Djed Spence and John Stones made only one of a few. Through all the pressure, the switch worked.

Some may see a difference between the freedom with which England’s players were encouraged to go in the second half against Croatia and the calculated backlash that followed Quansah’s dismissal in the game, but these are two sides of the same coin.

With Tuchel, it’s not about one philosophy, it’s not about playing a certain way, it’s about reacting to situations – or, more accurately, anticipating those situations. This is a coach who knows how to smell what is needed in a particular game to get the desired result.

Talking to Benjamin Weber, his long-time critic, about this, it was a quality he chose. “In tournaments, he’s one of the best,” Weber said Sky Sports. “He is very good in the game. He always trains during the game to make changes.”

Now a new strategy will be needed to eliminate the extraordinary Haaland, or at least ensure that England’s stars on the other side can overcome the Norwegian goal machine. It could be Lionel Messi in the last four and Kylian Mbappe in the final if England go all the way.

But there is growing confidence. England have a brilliant player, Bellingham, who can do it all. They have Kane fit and firing. There are also up-and-coming supporting actors who have dedicated themselves to the effort and are beginning to capture the imagination.

And yet, as important as any of this may be Tuchel himself. The players will need to be heroes and England have different ones in this tournament. But at an important time, they also have a coach who can make big decisions.