England’s ‘brotherhood’ delivers in 3-2 win over Mexico as ten men | OneFootball

England revealed a new collective edge at the World Cup, edging Mexico 3-2 in the last 16 despite a second-half red card that left them hanging on.

According to L'Équipe, “brotherhood” has been the squad’s watchword since Thomas Tuchel named his list, even as earlier displays leaned heavily on Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham. Before Sunday, Kane had scored five in four matches, while Bellingham had two goals and an assist.

At the Azteca, both stars delivered again, Kane scoring and setting up another, Bellingham striking twice. They also faded late, with Kane barely audible in his post-match interview and Bellingham struggling to stay upright.

Jarell Quansah was sent off in the 54th minute and Tuchel said his players were almost too tired to celebrate, noting they spent close to 50 minutes with ten men and protected the lead at 2,200 metres, a rarity for them. Several played out of position, with Ezra Konza at wing-back, Anthony Gordon as a number eight and Jude in the number nine role.

The bench swung it too, not least Dan Burn, introduced on 75 minutes, whose added-time header from his own box flew into the Mexico half. Bellingham called it a team win and stressed all 26 players can make a difference.

Next up is Norway in Miami on Saturday. England will be without the suspended Quansah, without Jordan Henderson after a serious wrist injury suffered in the celebrations, and probably without a specialist right-back unless Reece James regains fitness. Konza has offered to cover there, capturing the mood in one word, brotherhood.

Source: L'Équipe