Mexico 2-3 England: Thomas Tuchel’s decisive calls at this World Cup could make the difference after historic win | Football News

Was that England’s greatest World Cup win on foreign soil? Sir Geoff Hurst has asked the question himself, suggesting that the 3-2 win over Mexico in the round of 16 might be the best performance since the Wembley final in 1966.

There was France in 1982 and Argentina 20 years after that, but those were the group stage. There have been two quarter-final successes that must be considered, being one step closer to glory: a fortunate win over Cameroon and a routine victory over Sweden.

Few will forget David Platt’s dramatic volley in extra-time against Belgium in 1990 or that cathartic penalty shoot-out win over Colombia that exorcised demons not just for Gareth Southgate but for a generation of England supporters. Special memories.

But this was different. Mexico away at altitude in front of a partisan crowd of 80,824 in the Azteca Stadium? Playing with 10 men for what was the best part of an hour by the time the referee had called a halt to a physically and emotionally draining contest?

This was a moment for England – a night to make believers of the masses. Norway in Miami in the last eight will not be easy but nor is it the France side that England were pitted against at this stage three-and-a-half years ago in Qatar. This has become a big opportunity.

Norway do have themselves a hulk in Erling Haaland but England have Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, a partnership with the potential to propel to new heights. From the altitude of the Azteca to what is rarefied air in the weeks to come? England is dreaming.

It is a belief that is bolstered by the presence of Thomas Tuchel on the bench. It has taken time for this Champions League-winning coach to convince. There were slips of the tongue and slip-ups on the pitch in the friendly games. Selection decisions were questioned.

Even this World Cup has not been without setbacks and suspicions of the same old same old. But if there is a reason to believe, a source of optimism that it could be different this time, it owes almost as much to Tuchel’s decisiveness as England’s two talented forwards.

From the start, his in-game management had been flagged as a potential point of difference from what had come before. That is how it has played out from the moment that two substitutes – Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford – combined to see off Croatia.

Anthony Gordon also provided two assists for Kane off the bench to turn the game around against DR Congo. But it was Tuchel’s defensive changes that helped facilitate the win over Mexico as England dealt with the adversity after Jarell Quansah’s red card.

The introduction of Dan Burn certainly invited pressure when Tuchel switched to five at the back with 15 minutes of the 90 remaining but the decision paid off. Did he anticipate Javier Aguirre’s move to send on another target man? It seemed to play into England’s hands.

Mexico looped cross after cross into a penalty box that was populated by no fewer than four specialist centre-backs. These England defenders kept finding the clearances. It was difficult to shake the feeling that the Mexico manager had been outsmarted.

The substitutes, in particular, did a marvellous job of repelling the attacks. No player on the pitch made more clearances than Burn – and he only came on in the 75th minute. Djed Spence and John Stones made only one fewer. For all the pressure, the switch worked.

Some might see a contrast between the freedom with which England’s players were encouraged to approach the second half against Croatia and the calculated retreat that followed Quansah’s sending-off in this game, but these are two sides of the same coin.

With Tuchel, it is not about one philosophy, it is not about playing in a particular way, it is about reacting to situations – or, more accurately, anticipating those situations. This is a coach who is able to smell what is needed in a specific game to get the result required.

Speaking to Benjamin Weber, his long-time analyst, about this, it was a quality that he picked out. “In tournaments, he is one of the best,” Weber told Sky Sports. “He is very good within the game. He is always coaching during the game to make the adaptations.”

A new plan will now be needed to snuff out the freakish Haaland, or at least ensure England’s own stars at the other end can outscore Norway’s goal machine. It could be Lionel Messi in the last four and Kylian Mbappe in the final if England are to go all the way.

But there is a growing confidence. England have the brilliant Bellingham, a player who can do it all. They have Kane fit and firing. There is also an emerging supporting cast of characters who are committed to the cause and beginning to capture the imagination.

And yet, as important as any of that might just be Tuchel himself. The players will need to be the heroes and England do have difference makers at this tournament. But in the moments that matter, they also have a coach who can get the big decisions right.