England are through, but they made hard work of it. The 2-1 win over DR Congo in Atlanta was messy, reactive and only settled late on. Now comes a far bigger test, Mexico at the Estadio Azteca, altitude, pressure and no margin for error.
Thomas Tuchel has decisions to make, mainly at the back and out wide. Djed Spence started at right-back in the last game because Reece James and Jarell Quansah were both carrying injuries. Declan Rice even ended up filling in there late on, which tells you plenty about the state of England’s options once changes were made.
Quansah fitness boosts England
There is some encouragement. Quansah has returned to training and looks ready to come back into the side. Tuchel said: “You saw Jarell train. He trained today and is fully available. “Reece can maybe make it onto the bench, but we need the last assessment from the doctors and the medical opinion [as to] whether this makes sense.”
That points towards Quansah starting, with James more likely to be held back if there is any risk at all. Against Mexico, England need defenders who can get through 90 minutes, not 20.
Wide areas now open for change
Noni Madueke and Marcus Rashford failed to do enough against DR Congo. Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon came on and changed the game. Gordon created both goals for Harry Kane, who again delivered when it mattered.
There is no reason to overthink this. Saka and Gordon have earned the right to start. Kane leads the line, Jude Bellingham keeps his place behind him, and England get more directness and more purpose in the final third.
Photo IMAGO
Predicted England XI vs Mexico
Predicted XI, 4-2-3-1: Jordan Pickford; Jarell Quansah, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Nico O’Reilly; Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice; Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon; Harry Kane.
Pickford keeps his place, though he will know he should have done better for the early goal conceded last time. Mexico will test that again.
Kick-off is at 1am BST on Monday, July 6, at the Estadio Azteca. England are still in this tournament. The performance level now needs to catch up.