‘Heroic’ Azteca success felt like winning a final, says England boss Tuchel

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Thomas Tuchel said England’s “heroic” victory over World Cup co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca felt like winning the final of a tournament, rather than a last-16 tie.

The Three Lions produced arguably their greatest World Cup win on foreign soil against all the odds on Sunday to tee up a quarter-final showdown with Norway.

Having survived wave after wave of Mexico pressure early on, England saw Jude Bellingham score twice in the space of 98 seconds late in the first half, with 70% of his international goals now coming in major tournaments (7/10).

Julian Quinones pulled one back for Mexico, who looked to be in the ascendency when Jarell Quansah became only the fourth England player to be sent off at a World Cup following his high challenge on Jesus Gallardo, after Ray Wilkins in 1986 versus Morocco, David Beckham in 1998 against Argentina, and Wayne Rooney in 2006 versus Portugal.

Harry Kane and Raul Jimenez converted penalties at either end, but England defended stoutly to end the co-hosts’ tournament, despite playing 48 minutes (including stoppage time) a man down. It was their first-ever World Cup win after receiving a red card.

England had just 33.2% of the possession, their lowest share in a World Cup match on record since 1966, while their 48 clearances were their most in a game at the tournament since making 54 against Belgium in 1990, in a tie that went to extra time.

Despite those figures, Mexico only made five passes that broke through England’s last defensive line, with no single player playing more than one such pass for El Tri.

“A heroic performance and a heroic result,” Tuchel said after England’s jubilant post-match celebrations. 

“I’m so happy with the players, and also for me, to live this experience in the last two days. It’s such a special memory, and against all the adversity, it makes it very special for us.

“If a team has heart and belief, then it’s this team. They did it on pure will. No words. Iconic match, iconic stadium, we overcame so much adversity today.

6 – Despite only coming on in the 75th minute, Dan Burn made the joint most clearances in England’s 3-2 win over Mexico (6).

It’s the most clearances made by a player subbed on that late into a World Cup game on record since 1966.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 6, 2026

“I felt in the build-up that it never felt like a round-of-16 game. It still doesn’t, it feels like we won a final or something.

“The round of 16 is the moment in the tournament when you find a way to win. We did it with full mentality and heart. I’m so proud of the mentality and the way of this team. It’s a very special night for us.

“Of course, the players are exhausted, on the next level, which is beautiful to see, because even this gives a connection with the fans.”

England survived plenty of close calls, with Jordan Pickford making two outstanding saves to keep out a pair of Jimenez headers in the first half.

33.2% – England had just 33.2% possession vs Mexico, their lowest in a FIFA World Cup match on record since 1966, while their 48 clearances were their most in a World Cup game since making 54 against Belgium in 1990.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 6, 2026

However, the Three Lions managed to limit Mexico to just 1.88 expected goals from their 20 shots, only marginally higher than their 1.61 xG from six attempts.

“That was unreal. You’ll never get moments like that again in football,” Pickford told BBC Radio 5 live, having equalled Peter Shilton’s record of 17 World Cup appearances for England.

“Coming to the Azteca… it is once in a lifetime. A bucket-list memory. Everyone was talking about the altitude… it was us against them. 

“We rolled our sleeves up and we got the victory. It wasn’t pretty, it was tough. You’ve got to roll your sleeves up and dig in.

“It was an all-round gutsy performance. That is what we are. We’re England and that’s what we do.”

The only negative for England on a remarkable night was an injury sustained by Jordan Henderson during their celebrations, with Tuchel saying he suffered a “quite serious” wrist injury after falling over the advertising hoardings. 

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