World Cup: England Through... Now Mexico Awaits

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1:29thank you the other scores from overnight the USA are through after beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 Belgium beat Senegal 3-2 in extra time last minute penalty from Tielemans to get all the scores and highlights visit the BBC Sport website and app so we we weren't quite sure what it was going to be like watching an England game at 9am we did it here at the house you had gone out it's so sweet actually you had gone out and got pastries I had yeah and so the sort of pastries that are frozen, then you defrost them, and then you cook them. And so the smell of beautiful pan-au-chocolat in the kitchen, and we made coffee, and it was incredibly civilised.

2:08It was a very different World Cup experience to previous years. Yes, I think that's best. We were eating pan-au-chocolat, and in previous years, I'd been in a world of pain. Pain, yeah, yeah. But the coffee wasn't giving you any problems, was it? Not at all. Well, not until later. Okay! Yes. You started the game, So every England game previously, you've been wearing one of your Grimsby tops. I have, yeah. And then for this game, you went England shirt. I did, yeah. Brand new one. And it didn't feel right. And then as the first half unfolded, I think we both knew that you were going to have to change.

2:45Yeah. And you did. Well, I just... You quietly went to your room. I presume you had a word with yourself. Well, I had a word with the shirt. Yeah. You burnt the shirt. And then you popped a Grimsby on. I decided to wear my little black and white lotto number. The classic. Came out. What happens? Yeah. You don't want to read too much into it. A lot of people saying the hydration breaks, the substitutions. It was down to me changing my shirt. There's a lot of superstition knocking around. So much superstition. There's quite a lot of stress knocking around as well. Like it was a very, very stressful watch.

3:20And we, I don't want to say we over-celebrated, but when both goals went in we went berserk we were hugging we had our friend James we hugged him we were all just hugging jumping around the room hugging and shouting it was good it was good fun and then in about the 90th minute which was tense because we're just thinking please England hold out please can I say it was the 88th minute it was the 88th 88th minute so Harry Kane has scored two minutes before and we're just thinking please please just cling on and then our doorbell goes, and we think, well, that's odd. We can see through to the gate, and we can see some feet and some sandals.

4:03We think, okay, well, this is a terrible time for someone to be at the door. Someone needs to go and answer it, and it was you. Yeah. So you went down, and now I'm just watching it through the window, and you open the gate, and you have a conversation with a man who I think is one of our neighbors, and honestly, my best guess is we've upset him because we've been shouting so loudly at the goals. That's the only possible explanation I can think of. As I'm walking down to the gate, I'm thinking, we have been quite loud, the back door is open. You're ready to apologise. And we have been shouting.

4:33Yes. There were a few expedives in there. There was some blue language. It's quite polite around Venice. Yeah. I'm thinking I'm going to have to apologise this morning. Yeah. I open the gate and he's, oh, there's a dog here. Shut up. That's his dog. that's his dog he can hear us bitching about him I open the gate and he says oh hello so and so so and so in and I'm not going to do the accent today and I said oh no we're here we're staying here and he's like oh right and in his hand he had the England game on his phone so he knows it's on he knows it's on and he still thought also crucially he knows we're English well actually he spoke to producer Lizzie so he might not have known we're English he knows we're English because we've had a bit of a you know, a conversation.

5:19And he went, hello, so-and-so and so-and-so. And I went, oh no, they're not. We're here. I'm thinking, you know this. And he's watching the game. He's like, oh, I just wondered if they've got any vanilla extract.

5:32I was like, what? It's the 88th minute, mate. He went, I just wondered if they've got any vanilla extract. I went, I don't know, mate. I went, I'm really sorry. We're working. I've got to get back in there. If you come back in an hour, we could possibly look for some vanilla extract. to you and oh yeah sure thanks mate and i shut that gate maybe a little bit too hard you slammed it in his face and i just walked up back here from your face you look really like put out he's called the police he must have got really annoyed he must have had to say sorry and then you come in you explain the vanilla extract stuff absolutely insane it's quite funny i was like it is funny who's baking like five minutes to ten on a wednesday morning and it turns out it was you making the lovely pan o 'chocolats.

6:19You're a little bit sad that... I know what you're going to say. We probably aren't going to refer to Dr. Congo anymore. I think the listeners and viewers might be ecstatic that we're not now mentioning Dr. Congo. Yeah. I think Dr. Congo had a fantastic run. We've had some lovely messages saying, it's great our kids say Dr. Congo. Yeah. That's where it came from. Yeah, it was. From someone's six-year-old saying, oh look, Dr Congo are playing. We've run with it. We really have run with it. The race has been run. Yes, it's done. It is done. So thanks for everything, Dr Congo. And also, to be fair to Dr Congo, they were excellent.

7:00They really were excellent. What I will say is I think the England team have been eating their apples. An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Dr Congo. Should we bring in an expert? Our football correspondent, John Murray, joins us now. Now, John, was it as nerve-wracking in the ground as it was in our little house? Well, I can give you a short answer to that. Yes. Absolutely shredded by that one, as I suppose, as I presume anyone else who's in the stadium or following England wherever was. That was too close for comfort for England. John, yesterday Thomas did an interview and he said it wasn't going to be pretty and they'll get the job done.

7:39I mean, they did get the job done and it wasn't pretty. but do you think he was genuinely 15 minutes away from losing his job? I think it would have been very interesting to see what happened next if it stayed 1-0 but you're right, he said exactly that he gave quite an accurate prediction about how this match would go as was the case against Panama as was the case against Ghana and I was surprised actually how upbeat he was about the performance and when you think about it The chances that England did create during the course of the match, you know, he's probably got a case for that. But to me, that felt right out of the Euro 2024 playbook.

8:22Exactly. I was so familiar with that feeling of just like, oh, they're not going to do it here. They're not going to do it. Who's going to bail us out? And inevitably, it was Harry Kane. It just served as a reminder once again of how reliant we are on this world, world-class striker. I mean, the difference is compared to now and Euro 2024, when Kane did well enough back then. But now we are seeing the very best version of Harry Kane. I mean, some of the facts and facts. And there's 72 goals now this season for club and country. It's crazy numbers. He's passed Pele's number of World Cup goals. He's now scored as many international goals as Ferenc Puskas.

9:06And, you know, he's got himself, he's hauled himself right back into the race for the golden boot. So as we speak now, Messi and Mbappe with six and Haaland and Kane with five. And also it's the way in which he did it, that second goal. Just unbelievable. Honestly, Lloyd, people will say, you know, what's the best sort of goal to commentate on? the answer is goals like that when you can absolutely see it coming and that was the Harry Kane of this season wasn't it how many goals have we seen him score whether it's for England or certainly for Bayern Munich this season where he does exactly that he's able to manoeuvre, defenders are there but he's able to manoeuvre it to where he wants to and once he gets in that sport then that shot there was no stopping it and also credit to Gordon as well for just flicking that ball off the whole thing was just beautiful wasn't it?

9:54I think we have to give credit to Thomas Tuchel, and I am going to call it Thomas Tuchel rather than Thomas. I know you were going first name terms. For the subs and also whatever he was doing in hydration breaks. Because for England, each half felt like a game of two halves, i.e. quarters. Because first quarter of the game, I thought England were right up against it. Second quarter looked much better. Third quarter, not great. Final quarter, much, much better. Yeah, I thought they were really rattled in that first 22 and a half minutes or whatever it was. And the goal, I mean, it really, really put them off their stride, didn't it?

10:36And I think the way that Diar Kongo played as well, they played with the freedom, because as their coach said the day before the match, they've achieved all their objectives here. And I think that could have gone two ways. it did free them up and they've got some good players they've got some good players and they've obviously got a very good international manager but you're right, the water breaks when they came I think we said, Paul Robinson and I, he needs this now and he did have that time out and afterwards he told us Thomas Tuchel, he said that he made the most of the water breaks today and he said it was easy to speak to the players today water break in the first half, water break in the second He said they were calm and focused and whatever the message was.

11:23And he actually said, I don't remember exactly what I said. He said, I don't remember what I said, but I said, keep pounding that rock. He said, we didn't play with fear, but determination. I didn't feel that sitting in the stands and watching it. But he said, so we did. We kept knocking on the rock until it broke. He looked very animated, agitated, and at times quite angry on the touchline. Like, he didn't appear cool, calm and collected. Yeah, but you see, that's at odds with... When I spoke to him, I'm speaking to him face-to-face in the interview area, in the stadium after the match, and I kind of said the same thing to him.

12:06And I said, surely that did rattle your nerves. And he was adamant that he didn't. But I suppose that's the image that you want to send out to the outside world. I think the England manager is lying to your face, John. But I mean, he was exuding the message that I expected it. I thought it would, you know, that was the message was, you know, I felt that it was coming and it duly did. He'd said yesterday to you that we had a strong right back and he wouldn't tell you who it was. I don't think any of us anticipated it was going to be Declan Rice No Including Declan Rice Again, more alarm bells were ringing there Because I was at the West Ham Stadium, the London Stadium At the end of last season When Mikel Arteta put him there for about 20 minutes And it had a double negative effect But I think there were reasons He was struggling, whether it was cramp or whether it's this issue I spoke to him as well afterwards, Declan Rice And I said, are you okay?

13:05And he said, yeah, I'm absolutely fine but Thomas Tuchel said they needed to keep him on the pitch so he'd made the change as Paul suggested during the commentary he said he's going to have to take off a defender here to get, I think it was Ezra at the time to get him onto the field which he did so that's exactly what he did and I think when we talk about his substitutions that's what we're talking about sacrificing a defender so actually from the right back question having lost the players injured he almost for a time there decided he was going to play without one at all but Declan Rice then dropped back into that position and he said he wanted Declan Rice still on the pitch because of his set-piece delivery.

13:45Something else that occurred to me is in the previous games we've sort of been saying when Rashford is on when Rashford has replaced Anthony Gordon he's looked much more lively, much more threatening and this time, although Rashford did have a few moments it was Anthony Gordon who came on and made the difference getting those two assists. That's very often the way it goes, isn't it, with wingers? I was surprised today. I thought Saka would be in the starting line-up, and it was Madweke. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he continues to rotate them. I think there's another option there as well, that Morgan Rodgers could potentially play in that position, but I think he likes the pace and the way that Madweke runs at defenders.

14:30I think he likes that on that side, and he does have that with both Gordon and Rashford on the other side, but it is with variable results, isn't it, so far at this World Cup? I think credit to DR Congo as well, because they did exactly what they needed to do. You talked about playing with freedom earlier. They got the early goal, they sat back, they absorbed. And also, if it wasn't for their keeper, I mean, he was absolutely fantastic today. I'm not sure how many messages I got at half-time from friends of mine mentioning Jan Tomaszewski, the Polish goalkeeper that people of a certain age always remember who made a string of saves in a World Cup qualifier in 1973 and England failed to qualify for the World Cup in 1974.

15:14The save from Bellingham I thought was as good a save the header was as good a save as I think I've seen in this World Cup. I think Bellingham is so impressed by it he's sort of devastated but he hugs him afterwards hugs the goalkeeper just gives him a little yeah fair play mate. And he was right next to us Leonor and Passy in the interview area and I said to Gary, our producer, see if we can get him on. See if we can get him to come and speak to us. But we get a list. This is a bit of a peek behind the curtains. FIFA give you a list which has all the languages that all the players are comfortable to speak in.

15:46And he was only comfortable to speak in French. But I still said... And how's he French? Well, I still said to Gary, go and ask him. He might still speak a bit of English. And if ever there was the time to talk about your performance. Anyways, we were humming and harring about that. Axel Tuinzebi came across instead. And having grown up in Greater Manchester, he... Fluent man. Yeah, he gave us a very nice interview, actually. How gutted was he, but also proud of the performance. Yeah, exactly that. I just think what they've done is a real... Is it right to call it a heartwarming story? I think with everything they've had to contend with, with the war that's going on in the east of DR Congo and, of course, the Ebola outbreak, which is causing massive problems in that country.

16:36And there's a major, major issue. So for this, just to provide this now in the way that they have and this string of firsts and to really, you know, can you imagine what it was like there today, people following this match and how that will have made them feel? And ultimately, of course, they didn't do it. But I think the job that they've all done has gone beyond football, hasn't it? I also think there's a kind of alternate reality that's quite easy to imagine, where in the first half, Joanne Visser scores that chance that he strikes against the post. They're 2-0 up. Deservedly so? I think so.

17:15I don't think England are coming back from that. Possibly not. It had shades of the Cameroon quarterfinal back in 1990, I felt. It did a bit, yeah. And similarly as well, when Kane went through and won a penalty a little bit like Gary Olympe did in that match. I think they still would have had time, but, well, we'll never know. We'll never know, will we? On that penalty that wasn't awarded, what's your take on it? When we were watching it on telly, we just thought, that feels pretty clear. Even when you saw the replays, it just got more and more clear. So you're going, well, why not? At least go and have a look at the monitor, right?

17:49Yeah, although, listen, my view on it was with the naked eye, it felt a certain penalty. And I know because people have sent me the slow motion replays, which make it look less like a penalty and more like a hurricane dive. However, I do think that's slightly misleading. and when you see it at real time and the goalkeeper's coming out at pace I still believe that is more likely to be given by a referee as a penalty than it isn't and I think that was quite I thought he had quite a good game Adam McAdmay from Jordan I thought he let the game flow and he was very decisive in that moment I think many referees when it's Harry Kane in a situation like that would have said penalty and he didn't And, you know, Kane spoke to him, Bellingham spoke to him.

18:41They had a bit of an exchange at the start of the second half, a good-natured exchange. And, you know, he was a referee who knew his own mind. And I think having not given the penalty, I think it was likely then that VAR would look and back up the referee because that is how it's tended to go at this World Cup with those kind of decisions. Just finally, before we let you go, John, your first game at this tournament was at the Azteca. You were very excited about it. that is where England will be heading next to face Mexico in the round of 16. Mexico absolutely flying, not considered a goal at this tournament, four wins from four, altitude, hot, 90 ,000 Mexicans.

19:24What do you reckon? Yeah, and I thought they were terrific, the way that they went at Ecuador, and that was not a straightforward match. And so they're on a seven-match winning streak now in all of their recent internationals. Twelve unbeaten. The record they've got at the Azteca, it is 70 wins out of 89 competitive matches. They've lost only three of them. And they've never lost in a World Cup match in the Azteca. Unbeaten there in ten matches across the various, you know, the now three World Cups that they've played. And so, yes, this was obviously a discussion point for me with Thomas Tuchel.

20:04He said it's a beautiful fixture. But he said clearly altitude, playing at altitude, is a disadvantage. And he said there are many obstacles against us. And he actually said to me, it's very likely that there will be noise. People will be making noise outside our hotel. Earplugs. Yeah, it's a real toughy, this. The one thing I'd say is, are Mexico going to play as well as they did in the first half yesterday? I really like their front four. I think there's a little bit of everything there. And the substitutes as well that they can bring on. Most of these players, though, that are playing for England, they've played at Stoke.

20:41There's not much higher. The air is thicker. So I just think that the highest ground in the UK, I just think that they've probably adapted to it over time. And he said, you know, we haven't got time. We're just going to have to go and deal with it. I'd be fascinated to know. There must be things that they've done. There must be. Yeah. If you go into detail, which presumably we will when we speak to him on, when is it? Saturday. To ask about that. But I guess, I dare say he might not give all that away. But he says that the heat training that they've had in Florida has helped them. But he said we simply can't adjust to altitude in the time that they have.

21:18And he said we'll just have to deal with it. one other thing I must tell you he was asked today you didn't get wet again did you? no no I didn't get wet today that was a nice change this match obviously kicked off at 5 o 'clock UK time and as we know the Mexico match Sunday night into Monday morning that will kick off at 1 o 'clock in the morning so Thomas Tuchel was asked afterwards what would your message be for kids who were able to watch this today back in the UK what would your message be for them if they want to now watch the next one and quick as a flash, he said, write an excuse for school.

21:54He said, school is every day. The World Cup is only once every four years. Write an excuse.

22:03Yeah, I've got a note here from, well, Thomas Tuchel. He says, I don't have to come in. That's really good. Cheers, John. Yeah, thanks for both. Speak soon. Now, can I just say, if you haven't seen this already, go to Five Live Sports Instagram and watch the video of John Murray commentating through the entire game. It's world class. I mean, John is... I love John. John is the best in the business. The goat. He's the goat. Greatest of all time. Yeah, I know what that means. Thank you. I watched the video and then came into the house to go, Rick, you've got to watch... And you were watching it.

22:36I know, I was watching the video. It's so good. It's brilliant. It's so good. And I tell you what, John and Paul Robinson, this tournament have been a fantastic duo. They've been on fire. They've been great. So, yeah, it's just lovely to relive it over and over again. Yeah. Go and have a little listen.

23:17Fire up a juicy ribeye. Grab creamy potato salad and savory flatbreads from the prepared foods department and round it all out with 365 brand condiments, chips and dips at everyday low prices. Whole Foods Market, make your summer sizzle. Say big on your next project at Menards. Check out our huge selection of Richmond water heaters. Whether it's electric or gas, tank or tankless, Menards has what you need in stock. Ensure that you have hot water for when you need it most with a new Richmond water heater from Menards. Plus, check out our weekly flyer on Menards.com for all the great deals happening now.

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24:06Five Lights Sports. My favorite World Cup moment? It's the first World Cup I properly remember watching. Argentina 78 the ticker tape Mario Kempes Ari Hahn scoring goals from miles out and always one of my favourite World Cup moments Archie Gemmels great goal for Scotland against the Dutch what makes the World Cup such a special tournament is the atmosphere the colour it is a meeting of the nations and of people who love football the People World Cup 2026 listen on BBC Sounds the Football Daily Podcast at the People World Cup 2026 with Rick Edwards and Lloyd Griffin. Listen on BBC Sounds. So I do think it's worth taking a look at that Mexico game, England-Mexico in the round of 16.

24:56Everyone's already thinking about it. It's this coming Monday, so sort of Sunday night into Monday morning, for those of you in the UK, 1am kick-off. It'll be live on BBC One, iPlayer, 5 Live and the website. so you have got options. And you need to get those letters written into your teachers ASAP. Rodolfo Landeros, Fox Sports commentator and host of the Senora podcast, joins us now. Rodolfo, I assume you watched the England-DR Congo game today. Mexico probably watched it as well with interest. Would they fear England? I'm not saying they would fear England. Thank you very much for having me on the podcast.

25:36Just as I was covering the Mexico training this morning, the first half was over and then, you know, the training session began. So I'm not sure they watched the second half afterwards because they have the afternoon off. Every single game that Mexico has won, Javier Aguirre, the coach, has led them to, you know, enjoy families, enjoy friends. But after what I saw yesterday at the Estadio Azteca against Ecuador, I think this team is fearless. But it's not that they don't respect England. It's what they believe they can achieve something historic. We're looking at Mexico and we're, I'd say, slightly worried.