England’s head coach, Thomas Tuchel, described the team’s thrilling 3-2 win against Mexico as feeling akin to winning a final. The Three Lions eliminated Mexico from the World Cup in a dramatic match, setting up an exciting quarter-final showdown with Erling Haaland’s Norway on Saturday.

Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, and Anthony Gordon stood out as England conquered the challenges of altitude to secure a hard-fought victory. Despite a red card, a penalty against them, and a lengthy injury time, the match kept fans on edge, with a delayed kick-off due to a thunderstorm keeping them up until the early hours.

Reflecting on the lead-up to the game, Tuchel mentioned the intense preparations in adjusting to local conditions amidst disruptions caused by fans setting off fireworks outside the team’s hotel. The coach expressed immense pride in the players’ performance and the joy of overcoming adversity.

Tuchel also commended the defeated hosts, acknowledging the passion and emotion displayed by Mexican fans. He highlighted the strength of the Mexican team and the remarkable atmosphere at the stadium, expressing regret over their elimination while celebrating his team’s achievement in reaching the quarter-finals.

Following FIFA’s decision to revoke USA striker Folarin Balogun’s red card for the upcoming match against Belgium, Tuchel humorously suggested that captain Harry Kane seek help from the US president to lift Jarell Quansah’s ban.

In the next round, the USA will face Belgium, expected to be a challenging encounter given Belgium’s high FIFA ranking. Mauricio Pochettino’s team, with an impressive goal-scoring record in the tournament, is set to face a tough test against Belgium in the round of 16.