Wayne Rooney has hailed England's 3-2 victory over Mexico in the World Cup quarter-finals as "one of their greatest results", praising the team's resilience after playing most of the second half with 10 men. Jude Bellingham scored twice, with Harry Kane adding a penalty, while Jarell Quansah was sent off in a heated atmosphere at the Azteca Stadium.
Rooney and Shearer Lead Praise
Speaking after the match, former England captain Rooney said: "That was one of the greatest results, performances. They showed attitude, grit, desire, everything you would have wanted an England team to show they showed tonight." He added: "Going down to 10 we knew it was going to be difficult. They sat in and I was worried that we went too deep too early, but they put their bodies on the line. The centre-backs and Pickford were outstanding."
Alan Shearer, also working for BBC Sport, echoed the sentiment: "Those players have represented their country in magnificent form tonight. Every single player had the right attitude." He continued: "Everything that could have gone against them, everything that was thrown at them, the energy, the altitude, they have got past all of that and they deserved it. That is an incredible performance from start to finish."
Historic Return to the Azteca
England were making their first appearance at the Azteca since the 1986 World Cup, and manager Thomas Tuchel noted that "everything against us" was overcome. The Three Lions will now face Norway in the last eight.
Shearer highlighted the significance of the performance: "We've been waiting for England. Before today's game they had probably only had that one good half against Croatia. There were moments and pieces of brilliance from Kane and Bellingham, but the performance tonight was pretty much perfect."
Resilience Under Pressure
Rooney praised the team's defensive effort after Quansah's red card: "We were the better team until the red card and then we showed a lesson in heading the ball out of the box, blocking shots, just brilliant." Shearer added: "This was a standout performance, a performance that can carry them forward and give them belief that they can go on and do something in this competition."
