Thomas Tuchel salutes ‘heroic’ England players and says it feels like winning a final

A drained and delighted Thomas Tuchel paid tribute to a “heroic performance” from England after they emerged from Estadio Azteca with a historic 3-2 win over Mexico , handing them a World Cup quarter-final against Norway. Many of England’s players fell to the turf at the end of a highly charged, emotional night ton which they repelled waves of pressure for most of the second half after Jarell Quansah’s red card. Tuchel said the victory felt similar to winning a final and piled praise on the attitude of his exhausted side. “A heroic performance and a heroic result,” he said. “I’m so happy with the players, and also for me, to live this experience in the last two days. 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.” Mexico had not lost at their fabled home since 2013 but Jude Bellingham’s first-half double and a Harry Kane penalty, the latter coming soon after Quansah’s dismissal, edged out the hosts despite a fevered atmosphere and concerns over the effects of altitude. “I felt in the buildup that it never felt like a round-of-16 game,” Tuchel said. “It still doesn’t, it feels like we won a final or something.” England made their rare attacks count before half-time and dug in resolutely during the latter stages with a five-man defence. “The round of 16 is the moment in the tournament when you find a way to win,” he said. “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.” The ghost of Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal at the Azteca in 1986 may have finally been laid to rest. “We had a very sad history with this stadium so we made peace today,” Tuchel said. The biggest cloud over England’s night was an injury to Jordan Henderson, who damaged a wrist after appearing to slip while vaulting an advertising hoarding in the post-match celebrations. He will stay in hospital overnight with a member of the medical staff and will not travel with the team back to their Kansas City base. “I’m exhausted and emotional but also sad because Jordan is in hospital with quite a serious injury to his wrist,” Tuchel said. “It doesn’t fit with this evening that Jordan is not with us. We are celebrating and still thinking about Jordan at the same time.” Tuchel was less than impressed with the 54th-minute red card for Quansah, whose challenge on Jesús Gallardo had not initially been deemed a foul by the referee, Alireza Faghani. It was given after a VAR review, adding to England’s problems at right-back before Saturday’s tie in Miami. Mexico’s second goal, a Raúl Jiménez penalty, also came about after a VAR review Tuchel queried. “Just not good enough, the referees are just not good enough, fourth officials are just not good enough, that’s the bottom line,” Tuchel said. “He didn’t even give the foul [by Quansah], he didn’t even overturn a yellow to a red. They overturn a situation where he doesn’t even give a foul. “It’s crazy, another right-sided defender out. Jarell is very upset of course, it’s disappointing and a setback.” England were physically spent to the extent that Kane conducted post-match interviews having lost his voice. Jordan Pickford, who made two crucial saves from Jiménez, referred to the occasion as “a bucket list memory”. Bellingham, who put in a remarkable all-round performance, was left to bask in the night’s significance and a potential mental block cleared. “[In] big pressure moments in years gone by watching as a fan, as a kid, England probably would have crumbled but we stuck together until the last second,” he said. “The players who came on, the players that started, running themselves into the ground and giving everything. “Norway pose a different threat, some that we know really well, some world class players in there, so we will have to be ready. My God, if you can’t enjoy a night like this, just for one night, then I don’t know what it’s worth.” Tuchel confirmed England would be allowed some rest upon returning to Kansas City. “I will not rewatch our match or watch anything about Norway in the next 24 hours,” he said. “I will do one full day without football and then we will think ahead.” The Mexico manager, Javier Aguirre, who has conclude his third stint in charge and will be replaced by Rafael Márquez, said he was “overtaken by emotions” after falling narrowly short. “Our dream fell apart, it’s shattered,” it said. “Those players have to hold their heads high. I am saying goodbye to football, goodbye to Azteca Stadium, and I’m leaving proudly.