Thomas Tuchel reveals bizarre regret after Mexico's win over England

In the Aztec Stadium, where 80,000 Mexicans raised their singing to a deafening crescendo, Thomas Tuchel (53) saw the Three Lions achieve a dramatic 3‑2 victory over Mexico – a moment that still occupied him two months later. He remembers the tension, the emotions and a strange regret he felt afterwards.

Mexico match and a bizarre confession

In the round of 16 of the World Cup England had to face Mexico, one of the host nations together with the United States and Canada. The match took place in the Aztec Stadium, where 80,000 fans were deafeningly loud throughout. England eventually emerged as the winner with 3‑2, and Tuchel later said: “I’m sorry”. According to him that match had tension, emotions and a place in the quarter‑finals.

Afterwards he sent a friend a message: “I’m sorry that I didn’t eat any grass after the match to keep a piece of it in my body forever”. He described this as “the moment”. He made the statement during an interview with Daniel Sturridge, ahead of the FA publication ‘Reflections: the World Cup Journey of England’.

Tuchel emphasized that it was only the third defeat of Mexico in 90 official matches in their own Aztec Stadium, making it a particularly historic symbol for the English side. He would have liked to take a piece of that sacred turf as a memento of the victory.

Jordan Henderson injury and team reaction

Jordan Henderson, who did not play a minute at the World Cup, wanted to celebrate the victory like Harry Kane by jumping over the advertising board. However, his shoe got caught, he fell hard and was seriously injured, and was taken away on a stretcher with an oxygen mask.

England trail Spain but share second‑place odds with France and Germany in Nations League

“Within a second the players were there,” Tuchel said. “Every player was there to stop the celebrations, to form a shield, to protect Jordan. It was so special.” The quick response of the team showed strong solidarity.

Reference and future outlook

After the Mexico victory England reached the semi‑final, where a goal by Lautaro Martínez in extra time led to a 1‑2 defeat against Argentina. In the third‑place match England beat France 4‑6, a game with ten goals and a hat‑trick from Bukayo Saka and Kylian Mbappé, allowing the English side to claim the bronze medal.

On 26 September England will be back on the starting blocks, this time against world champion Spain in the opening match of the Nations League. Tuchel looked ahead and said: “I am very excited. I think we have taken another step closer.”

Nevertheless the thought of the untouched Aztec grass remains a small obsession. “It still nags me that I didn’t take a bite of the grass,” he later admitted, confirming his unusual regret.