but why don’t they do it more often?
England beating Mexico in the heat, humidity and height of the Azteca is something they’d never done, beating anyone there is something they’d never done.
England rode their luck early on as Mexico had all the ball and all the game, cracking save from Pickford from a cracking header from Jimenez, which came from a cracking cross.
Tuchel’s men were playing the long game with the long ball, no fannying about at the back, so much better. Drawing any more pressure would have been a huge mistake.
Then just after the half hour they did a couple of things you just don’t see them do. Rice picked up the ball from Pickford’s throw and ran forward. Ran into the big empty space in front of him, didn’t stop, didn’t turn back, didn’t let the defence get back into position. Then he actually passed the ball forward, no sideways or backwards ball.
Saka did do that annoying run into the defender thing but for once didn’t lose the ball, then for once headed to the byline and for once chipped a cross in. Of course over Kane’s head but Bellingham was on the back post to open the scoring.
Less than two minutes later and the lead was doubled. England’s pressing before had been off, one or two doing it but no one backing up. Here they were all over Mexico to win the ball back. The ball played wide to Kane, nearly all of them from that position would have been greedy and gone for goal but the captain put in the perfect cross for Bellingham’s brace.
Could they hang on to half time with the two goal lead intact? No. A dangerous free kick, from the left of the England box, was knocked back and then lashed home. They were lucky not to go into the break level. Or even behind, with Mexico having a number of great chances, including an excellent top corner save from Pickford, and a tackle from Bellingham.
Things done right in that first half even included taking throw-ins forward. They didn’t work but for once they actually did it.
The second half started well enough, with England more in the Mexican half, a deflected shot, initially going well wide, was well saved.
Then Tuchel’s choice for right back blotted his copybook. Quansah stupid lunge bringing a deserved red card. Funny hearing the main commentator and Alan Shearer claim it was a great tackle, with nothing to bother about before having to eat some humble pie and admit they got it all wrong.
Who would Tuchel shout at? No Spence on the pitch for the German to bark his abuse at.
This looked to be the turning point but a hump up the park by Pickford and Kane is fighting for it, a nod on and Gordon has made a run into the box to get the ball before the keeper, for the keeper to take him down. Kane wasn’t messing about with his penalty kick, no fannying tiptoe run up. The keeper went the right way but had no chance.
The two goal lead didn’t last 10 minutes. Another penalty. Another no doubter. Unless you headed as many balls as Alan Shearer. He was having non of it, though when Modric did the same thing as Kane in England’s opening match I doubt he thought it wasn’t a foul. Not clear and obvious said Slaphead. Well, it’s a clear penalty and the ref obviously missed it.
Pickford’s step to his left meant he couldn’t reach Jimenez’s spot kick. After that it was all Mexico. They piled on more attacking players, while pumping in more and more crosses, as Tuchel put on more defenders.
One of them putting in an excellent defensive display. Spence pretty much blocking everything going. Helpful he was on the far side of the pitch, so Tuchel couldn’t shout any abuse.
Now imagine if England did all those good things more often in a game, doing none of those infuriating . Then…