England pip Mexico 3-2 to seal last-16 berth
Why didn’t you just belt it? Gareth Southgate, the current England senior team coach, was famously asked by his mother Barbara after the 1996 Euro semifinal ended in another tie-break heartbreak. Rhian Brewster’s mum wouldn’t be faulted if she asked her son why he did belt it on the run. Six minutes into the England-Mexico match on Wednesday, all he needed was a tap-in.
Brewster though made amends and how! Then, Philip Foden showed what a left foot he has, ending a three-pass move with a shot that streaked like lightning into Cesar Lopez’s goal in the 48th minute. And the crowd favourite Jadon Sancho, under heavy Mexican police bandobast for most of the match, got his name again on the scoresheet with a 55th minute penalty after his cross hit Carlos Robles’ hand.
But just as it seemed Steve Copper’s boys were having fun with football as teenagers should — check Foden’s turn and run — Mexico brought this contest alive.
A massive deflection from Joel Latibeaudiere helped Diego Lainez make it 1-3 in the 65th after George McEachran was harried off the ball by the boy they call ‘Messi’ back home.
Roberto de la Rosa then did well to keep the ball and find Lainez, who had set the move going, and it resulted in a shot that found space in a very crowded penalty area to make it 2-3 in the 72nd. Had Roberto de la Rosa’s free header been on target this would have been some comeback story.
It didn’t and England entered the second round with six points from two games.