Wayne Rooney said England produced 'one of their greatest ever performances' to beat Mexico 3-2 and reach the World Cup quarter-finals, singling out Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice for special praise.
England survive red card and VAR controversy
Thomas Tuchel's side recovered from a red card and VAR agony to beat co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City. Quickfire goals from Jude Bellingham before half-time put England in control, but Julian Quinones pulled one back for Mexico after England failed to deal with a free-kick.
The momentum swung further towards Mexico when England right-back Jarell Quansah was sent off just after half-time following a VAR review for a high challenge. However, Harry Kane restored England's two-goal lead from the penalty spot after Anthony Gordon was fouled by Mexican goalkeeper Raul Rangel.
Nail-biting finish
Mexico won a penalty of their own soon after, with Kane penalised following another VAR review. Raul Jimenez's goal set up an agonising final half-hour as the hosts launched wave after wave of attacks, but England held on heroically to knock out the co-hosts.
Speaking on BBC One, Rooney said: 'That was one of England's greatest results and performances. The attitude, the grit, the desire – they had it all. We sat in and I was worried we went too deep too early, but they put bodies on the line, they were all outstanding and I thought we deserved it, we were the better team.'
Rooney singles out Rice
'The whole team were excellent but the big players stood up tonight – Jordan Pickford had his best game and the two centre backs were really good, ahead of the defence Declan Rice was excellent and Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane really turned up tonight,' Rooney added.
Fellow England legend Alan Shearer also praised the team: 'Those players have represented their country in magnificent form tonight. Every single player had the right attitude. 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.'
Shearer praises resilience
Shearer continued: 'From the off the way that England tried to manage the game, the energy and taking the game to Mexico in really difficult circumstances. Then to get the two goals, then to be hurt so soon afterwards and going into half time at 2-1. The second half started positive but then the red card and a penalty and you thought, "what else is going against us?" The way they stuck together and the manager's substitutions to go five at the back at the end, then Pickford was brilliant, a few great saves and coming out and taking the pressure off the defence when he could. Every single one of them was superb.'
England's quarter-final opponents Norway beat Brazil in the round of 16 to progress in the World Cup.
