Shearer hails perfect England after gutsy 10-man win over Mexico: ‘This can carry them forward’

Alan Shearer led the praise for England after Thomas Tuchel’s side battled to a dramatic 3-2 victory over co-hosts Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium, advancing to the World Cup quarter-finals despite a second-half red card.

‘Absolutely Outstanding’

Working as a pundit for BBC Sport, Shearer was effusive in his assessment of the Three Lions’ display. “Those players have represented their country in magnificent form tonight,” he said. “Every single player had the right attitude”.

England raced into a 2-0 lead through Jude Bellingham’s two goals in as many first-half minutes, but Julian Quinones pulled one back before the break. The game exploded early in the second half when Jarell Quansah was shown a straight red card for a studs-up challenge on Jesús Gallardo. Harry Kane converted a penalty to restore the two-goal cushion, only for Mexico to be awarded a spot-kick of their own—which Raul Jimenez dispatched—setting up a frantic finale.

Shearer was blown away by England’s resilience: “Everything that could have gone against them, everything that was thrown at them, the energy, the altitude, they have got past all of that and they deserved it,” he said. “That is an incredible performance from start to finish”.

‘Pickford Was Brilliant’

The Newcastle legend singled out Jordan Pickford for special praise, admitting he has been one of the goalkeeper’s harshest critics. Pickford made two crucial first-half saves to deny Raul Jimenez—first low down from a diving header, then acrobatically tipping another header over the bar. Shearer described the second stop as a “brilliant header” met by an “equally, superb save”.

“Pickford was brilliant, a few great saves and coming out and taking the pressure off the defence when he could,” Shearer said. He added that the performance was “pretty much perfect” and can “carry them forward and give them belief that they can go on and do something in this competition”.

‘The Shootout Between Kane and Haaland’

Looking ahead to the quarter-final against Norway, Shearer warned that England must find an answer to Erling Haaland. The Manchester City striker has already scored five goals at the tournament and is firmly in the Golden Boot race.

“That big man up front again,” Shearer said. “It’s the shootout between Kane and Haaland.” Both captains are central to their nations’ hopes, setting up a fascinating individual duel with a semi-final place at stake.

England, who have now reached a third straight World Cup quarter-final, will need another heroic performance to stop the Norwegian goal machine and keep their World Cup dream alive.