'Not good enough!' Tuchel fumes at refs after 'heroic' England win

Thomas Tuchel has slammed the officiating during England's 3-2 World Cup win against Mexico; Harry Kane was controversially penalised after review for a foul minutes after restoring England's two-goal cushion from the spot; Tuchel said the officials were "not good enough" on the night

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>Thomas Tuchel hit out at officials and praised England's "heroic" performance in their thrilling 3-2 win over Mexico in the World Cup last 16.

>England overcame a delayed kick-off, an electric Azteca atmosphere and a red card to book their place in the World Cup quarter-finals.

>Jarell Quansah, at right-back, recklessly slid in and was shown a straight red in the 54th minute by referee Alireza Faghani following a VAR check.

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>Australian official Faghani then awarded England a stonewall penalty minutes before pointing to the spot again for a Mexico penalty - after being sent to the monitor by VAR - for Kane's kick on Brian Gutierrez. That allowed Raul Jimenez to beat Jordan Pickford and set up a grandstand finish in the final 20 minutes.

>Though Mexico's spot-kick did not change the result, Quansah will be suspended for England's quarter-final against Norway, but can return if England make it through to the World Cup semi-finals.

>Despite glowing praise for his side, Tuchel could not hide his frustration at the officials.

>"It's just not good enough," he told BBC Sport. "Referees are just not good enough. Fourth officials are just not good enough.

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>"It's the bottom line. Is this a clear and obvious mistake for the [Mexico] penalty? For sure not, but VAR gets involved.

>"They overturn a situation where he doesn't even give a foul. Not good enough."

>England held firm during an absorbing final 20 minutes - with 11 minutes of additional time added on - and Tuchel was proud of the mentality on display.

>"These are the moments in tournaments where you find a way to win.

>"This doesn't feel like a round-of-16 match, it feels like a final! The moment where the referee puts the whistle to his mouth, with 10 men, altitude against a home country... this is a moment of joy and a heroic performance and result".

>England's win sets up a quarter-final clash against Norway on Saturday, after Erling Haaland scored twice to knock Brazil out of the tournament.

>The Azteca lived up to its billing during the match, with Mexico spurred on by a lively home crowd. It followed a one-hour kick-off delay due to thunderstorms, which had been widely predicted in the build-up to the match.

>"I didn't find it hostile, more cheering and emotional," Tuchel added. "The national anthem was unbelievable.

>"We were aware of that but we refused to give in. This team did it on pure will. No words.

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>"They did it in an iconic match, in an iconic stadium.

>"We overcame so much adversity today. Full credit. I'm very proud. A crazy match in a crazy atmosphere, and we were up against all odds.

>"Even in the end it was 11 minutes (stoppage time) and he (the referee) gives another two corners to make it 12 minutes. Everything went against us."

>There was concern for Jordan Henderson at the end of the match, with the midfielder carried off the pitch needing oxygen after falling over the advertising boards while celebrating.

>The FA have confirmed Henderson will not travel back to Kansas City with the squad this evening and will stay back in Mexico City with a member of England medical staff.

>"Not good. Jordan fell over and injured his wrist. It looks really bad," Tuchel said.

>"It's a very special night. Mixed feelings because I'm exhausted and emotional, and sad because Jordan injured his wrist and is in hospital.

>"It doesn't fit the evening that Jordan is not with us."

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>How will England be beaten? That is what the remaining countries at this tournament will start to ask themselves.

>Level with Croatia, behind to DR Congo, down to 10 men at the Azteca - Thomas Tuchel has built a mentality monster that is overcoming everything thrown at them.

>"When the going gets tough, they never give up, they never lose belief," he said after this memorable victory. This England team has guts.

>When they had to dig in, when Dan Burn was called upon for his first minutes at a major tournament, when Jordan Pickford had to come and punch every cross, they could do it.

>But this side also has the world-class quality in Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane to go punch-for-punch with anyone. Anthony Gordon delivered his best England performance at just the right time too.

>Tuchel admitted his side can play better, that there is still a "disconnect" in their performances but this increasingly feels like a team that refuses to lose, and that is perhaps the most dangerous quality any World Cup contender can possess.

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