Jordan Henderson has etched his name into England’s football history, becoming the first player to feature in four World Cups, yet his sights remain firmly set on glory in the knockout stages.
The 36-year-old midfielder achieved this milestone as a late substitute in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Panama, a result that confirmed England as Group L winners and set up a last-32 clash with DR Congo.
Henderson’s World Cup journey began in 2014, a tournament where Roy Hodgson’s squad exited at the group stage.
He subsequently played key roles in the runs to the semi-finals in 2018 and the quarter-finals four years later.
His role in this tournament has evolved, but he remains ready to do anything necessary to help England finally end 60 years of hurt.
“Time goes very quickly,” he said. “It’s very special to represent my country at four World Cups.
“I’m just delighted to be a part of this team and it’s still as special now as it was when I made my debut.
“Time goes quickly, but I’m just delighted that I can help the team as much as possible, both on and off the field, and just try and give everything I can to help us achieve our dreams.”
England did what they needed to get out of a tricky group as winners, securing a safer-looking path to the latter stages than had they finished second.
And Henderson knows what is required in the knockout rounds.
“Knockout football is just about staying calm in this moment, believing in what we’ve achieved so far to get here,” he said.
“We’ve got an incredible squad of players, it’s been a decent start in the group.
“Winning the group is not easy, so first and foremost I think the lads deserve a bit of credit for that.
“Now we’re starting the business end, knockout football, it’ll only get tougher from here.
“So we’ve just got to stay confident, follow what the manager wants us to do in the game plan and I think, if we can execute that, then we’ll have a good chance of winning games.”
England will play DR Congo for the first time and, while they are ranked 41st in the world, they took four points from their group, including a 1-1 draw with Portugal, in which Newcastle forward Yoane Wissa scored.
Henderson said: “I saw in the first game they got a good result against Portugal. Wissa scored, we know him well.
“So a good team, some good players, very strong. In the knockout rounds no game is easy.”
