There was something that Harry Kane mentioned a few days ago that truly resonates in the aftermath of a game that should be known as One Night in the Azteca. One of the great England World Cup occasions. One of the great World Cup occasions full stop.
Kane had done his research, thoughtfully venturing that teams who start well in group stages, appearing seamless in playing flawless football, are very rarely those who actually win major tournaments.
Some of his team-mates probably needed to hear that and he was only too aware that the first four performances had not been perfect. Nowhere near, in fact.
The England captain attempted to move the dial, speaking confidently of peaking, of momentum and of not needing to win with unrivalled style. As Thomas Tuchel’s squad boarded their flight back to base on Sunday night, with Norway in Miami six days away, his words rang more than true.
It was a statement, progressing to a quarter-final in the manner they did. Not of a mind-blowingly attacking clinic but the showcasing of what the senior players and management have built. The spirit, the togetherness. The desire to defend for themselves and for one another.
These were the sort of qualities that have not always been apparent around England. Even when reaching the European Championship final two years ago, tensions among some players and staff had become clear and festered.
The spirit and togetherness in this England squad is evident and was on display after their World Cup win in Mexico
The England squad unity is partly down to the clever management of Thomas Tuchel
Those have dissipated. This feels like a united group across the Atlantic. An England team that to a man gives everything, when in the past there may have been the odd straggler or two. That gives them half a chance of ending this month successfully.
Perhaps it’s down to squad selection, perhaps it’s senior players stepping up to foster this environment or perhaps it’s Tuchel. Whatever the major contributing factor is – and it is likely all three – the unity is evident.
As Wonderwall filled a stunned Azteca silence, Kane led his men to hurdle the advertising hoardings towards a small section of supporters in celebration, so jubilant were the scenes that Jordan Henderson injured his wrist and went to hospital.
There is genuine emotion at the end of these wins in a way that feels new. Some looked overcome again as Oasis was sung.
And the way they went about booking a date with Erling Haaland spoke volumes. Ten men for more than 35 minutes and in grinding out a 3-2 win, Tuchel relied on some forgotten men who were ready to step up.
Dan Burn and John Stones had featured for one minute between them since the opener against Croatia yet were entrusted by Tuchel to dig in and fend off a feverish opposition intent on snatching an equaliser that their crowd craved. Team game, after all.
Stones had just over half an hour, Burn the last 15 minutes. The pair of them made crucial interventions, Burn wearing a bicycle kick on the nose at one point.
‘The awareness of our subs is an outstanding level,’ Tuchel said. ‘This team has a heart that is one of a kind.’
Declan Rice put himself through physical hell again, a colossus in midfield despite carrying a persistent hamstring complaint
Jude Bellingham charged around like a man possessed, following his two goals with one goal-saving challenge towards the end of the first half
Tuchel made the bold calls you need to at this level, going to a back five for longer than he would want – knowing full well that were Mexico to nick another goal, the criticism would be flooding in his direction.
He had trust in his team to complete the job, to head and to kick and to run down the clock when required. To take a breath when none seemed available.
Ezri Konsa was asked to perform at right wing-back. Anthony Gordon in central midfield. Declan Rice put himself through physical hell again, a colossus in midfield despite carrying a persistent hamstring complaint.
Jude Bellingham charged around like a man possessed, following his two goals with one goal-saving challenge towards the end of the first half.
England thoroughly deserve the days off that Tuchel is granting them before Wednesday, when attention turns to Norway.
In the dressing room, staff spoke about how everything had been against England on the night. The atmosphere, the referee’s decisions, the conditions. It was an evening that should further galvanise and offer genuine hope that they can deal with whoever they meet moving forward.
‘I was quite emotional at full-time,’ said Bellingham. ‘I wanted to grab as many players as I could because it was a team win. Every single player played their part. No player did more than anyone else.’
Despite his goals, Bellingham hit upon the key point with that sentiment. There were the huge blocks, Marc Guehi’s marshalling and Jordan Pickford’s super saves but other clever moments that show Tuchel’s England play smart.
Tuchel gambled by going to a back five for longer than he would have wanted to – but his bold call paid off
Jordan Pickford made a string of super saves – and showed a streetwise mentality by loitering over his goal-kicks
Pickford pushing the acceptable number of seconds loitering over a goal-kick. Or keeping hold of the ball after Raul Jimenez’s penalty – and then provoking a commotion.
Kane’s winning of free-kicks, especially a crucial one in his own six-yard box, and a general nagging of the referee. Nico O’Reilly briefly became embroiled in disagreements as well.
England wriggled under the skin of Mexico in a way they have rarely perfected before. That is usually the sort of thing that happens to them, not done by them.
The brotherhood that they talk so earnestly about pulled in the same direction. It fought and it schemed. Sunday night can be the catalyst for an upturn. All it can take is one 90 minutes and then you have Kane’s momentum.
