Tuchel launches furious rant at referee after England win Mexico thriller
Coach of the English national team Thomas Tuchel has launched a furious rant at the centre referee after his team’s 3-2 win over 2026 World Cup tournament co-hosts, Mexico in a Round of 16 game.
Tuchel who spoke to the press after the grueling encounter played at the Azteca Stadium said that the referee and fourth official were “just not good enough” after they awarded a controversial late penalty against striker Harry Kane.
“It’s just not good enough,” Tuchel said. “The referees are just not good enough; fourth officials are just not good enough. That’s the bottom line.
“Is this a clear and obvious error for the penalty? For sure not. They overturned a situation where he doesn’t even give a foul.”
However, the former Bayern Munich and Chelsea coach praised his team for playing in a hostile environment and holding their own despite being reduced to 10-men after Jarell Quansah’s 54th minute red card.
Tuchel hailed his team’s “pure mentality and heart,” saying the hard-fought victory felt like winning a final.
Jude Bellingham scored the first goal of the game in the 36th minute with a brilliant close-range strike. The Real Madrid midfielder made it 2-0 in the 38th minute when he scored again to silence Mexican fans.
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The co-hosts reduced the deficit when Julián Quiñones scored in the 42nd minute to give the home fans something to cheer just before halftime.
England defender Jarrel Quansah was shown a straight red card by the centre referee in the 54th minute of the game after a VAR review for a dangerous tackle on a Mexican player.
Despite being reduced to 10-men, England got a penalty in the 60th minute which Bayern Munich striker, Harry Kane scored to give his team a 3-0 lead in the thrilling game, after Anthony Gordon was brought down in the Mexican 18-yard box.
Mexico were also awarded a spot kick of their own in the 69th minute of the game after Harry Kane fouled Brian Gutiérrez, with Raul Jimenez slotting the ball at the back of the net to end the game with a 3-2 scoreline.
England will now play Norway led by Erling Haaland in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals after defeating Mexico in the Round of 16.
Key match statistics: Mexico Vs England
Possession: Mexico 67% – England 33%
Accurate Passes: Mexico 420 (92%) – England 195 (80%)
Total Shots: Mexico 23 – England 6
Shots on Goal: Mexico 5 (25%) – England (83%)
Fouls Committed: Mexico 14 – England 7
Saves: Mexico 2 – England 3
