England midfielder Jordan Henderson was stretchered off and taken to hospital after falling over advertising hoardings during celebrations following their dramatic 3-2 last-16 World Cup victory over Mexico. Manager Thomas Tuchel admitted the injury appeared severe.
Tuchel Confirms Serious Injury
Henderson, the former Liverpool skipper, needed oxygen as he was carried off the Mexico City Stadium turf. In an alarming update to the BBC, Tuchel acknowledged the injury was 'really bad'. He said: "Not good, not good, next thing is a right defender now with the red card, Jordan just fell over and injured his wrist, it looks really bad."
During his press conference, Tuchel disclosed: "He injured his wrist, he's gone to hospital it's quite a serious injury. It doesn't fit with the night. I don't know if there will be a procedure."
Initial Optimism from Captain Kane
Captain Harry Kane had initially offered an encouraging update on Henderson, stating: "Jordan [Henderson] just fell over there, I think he's okay, just something to do with his arm."
England's Dramatic Win
England progressed to the quarter-finals where they will meet Norway. Jude Bellingham scored a rapid-fire brace to establish a 2-0 advantage, but Julian Quinonez thundered home from close-range to give Mexico hope going into the interval.
Mexican confidence surged when right-back Jarell Quansah received his marching orders for a dreadful tackle at the beginning of the second half. However, Tuchel's squad struck back instantly via Kane's spot-kick. Raul Jimenez converted a penalty of his own to heighten English anxieties, but Tuchel's men managed to hold on.
Bellingham Praises Team Resilience
Bellingham said: "Hard to gather it all together really. With 10 men defending how we defended our box, being clinical how we were in their box. Big pressure moments in years gone by watching as a fan, as a kid, England probably would have crumbled but we stuck together until the last second."
He added: "The players who came on, the players that started, running themselves into the ground and giving everything. That is what this team is about. The atmosphere was by far the best I have played against in international football. This country as a footballing country is magnificent."
"The reception we had coming off the plane, although it was hostile, it was beautiful to see how passionate one country can be about their team. The refereeing decisions, it is what it is. It's the World Cup and they are human too. As easy as it is to say now, they are human, we made a lot more than they did, but no worries we got through."
