England Beat Mexico in Five Tactical Phases for QF Spot
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- Thomas Tuchel broke England's quarter-final-clinching win over Mexico at Azteca into five distinct tactical phases, with assistant coach Anthony Barry telling players at half-time to "suffer" until the first water break and treating 0-0 as "a good result."
- Jude Bellingham headed England in front late in the first half from Bukayo Saka's cross after Pickford quickly distributed to Declan Rice, then scored his second after Elliot Anderson pressed from the restart to win the ball back.
- Jarell Quansah was sent off for a sliding tackle on Jesus Gallardo after England were caught defending with 10 men when Bellingham chased Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel — a moment Tuchel had warned against as not "smart."
- Down to 10 men, England shifted to a 5-3-1 formation with 6ft 7in Dan Burn and Djed Spence introduced, with Burn deployed as a back-post presence to neutralize Mexico's increasingly cross-heavy attack.
- Mexico left winger Julian Quinones was the hosts' most dangerous outlet — dragging England players out of position and earning a penalty — before his substitution for striker Guillermo Martinez removed their attacking variety, reducing them to hopeful crosses against a deep defensive block.
Why it matters: Bellingham's brace and a 10-man defensive reset at Azteca justified Tuchel's heavily-scrutinized squad selection, with five substitutes absorbing the red-card shock to send England into the World Cup quarter-finals.
