Thomas Tuchel has shared a peculiar admission regarding England’s dramatic 3-2 victory over tournament co-hosts Mexico at the Azteca Stadium this past July. Despite navigating much of the second half with ten men following Jarell Quansah’s dismissal, England secured a hard-fought win in the last-16 encounter. The triumph was particularly significant, marking only the third time in 90 competitive matches that Mexico had been defeated at their iconic home ground.
Speaking to Daniel Sturridge for the upcoming FA feature ‘Reflections: England’s World Cup Journey’, the England boss revealed he had messaged a friend after the final whistle expressing disappointment that he did not consume some of the pitch. “I regret that I didn’t eat some grass after the match to keep something from this in my body forever,” Tuchel explained, describing the sentiment of that specific moment as truly profound.
The coach highlighted the match as a standout moment of the campaign, emphasizing the “huge bond” formed within the squad. This unity was most evident when Jordan Henderson suffered a tournament-ending arm fracture while celebrating the result. According to Tuchel, the players immediately halted their celebrations to create a protective shield around Henderson. “Within a second, the players were there… in full empathy. It was so special,” he recalled.
Following their impressive run to the semi-finals—where they were eventually eliminated by Argentina before securing third place against France—Tuchel feels closer to his group than ever. He believes the experience confirmed his standing with the team, stating, “It feels like they are my players now,” and providing a solid foundation for future challenges.
Looking ahead, the manager remains focused on ending England’s long trophy drought dating back to 1966. He identified the World Cup performance as a vital stepping stone for upcoming campaigns. England is scheduled to return to action on 26 September, facing World Cup winners Spain in the 2026-27 Uefa Nations League opener, with the 2028 European Championships also firmly in his sights. “I think we got another step closer and I think we’re there,” he added. The report also notes that despite playing much of the second half with 10 men following Jarell Quansah’s red card, his Three Lions beat the co-hosts 3-2 in the last-16 tie in July.
