Image Credits: Imago Images
England’s World Cup dream remains very much alive – but the night at the Azteca came with a painful sting in the tail for former Liverpool man Jordan Henderson.
A dramatic, rollercoaster 3-2 victory over co-hosts Mexico sent Thomas Tuchel’s men into the quarter-finals.
Jude Bellingham was the hero on a night that will long be remembered, scoring two goals in just 98 seconds – the fastest brace by an English player in World Cup history – to put the Three Lions in command.
The second half turned more chaotic when Jarell Quansah was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge, leaving England to survive with ten men.
Mexico capitalised through a Raul Jimenez penalty to make it 3-2, but Tuchel’s depleted side dug deep and held on to reach the quarter-finals, where Norway await.
Henderson, who had been an unused substitute on the night — his World Cup involvement limited to just six minutes against Panama — rushed onto the pitch to join the squad’s raucous celebrations in front of the England supporters.
The 36-year-old Brentford midfielder attempted to leap over the advertising hoardings to reach the fans, but when he clambered back over, he slipped and landed hard on his arm. The footage, which spread rapidly on social media, showed England players immediately rushing to shield him from view as the medical team was called on.
Henderson was seen receiving oxygen before being stretchered off the pitch.
Sami Mokbel of the BBC has reported that the Liverpool legend will not be travelling with the rest of England squad to Kansas City:
“We’ve been told that Jordan Henderson will not travel back to Kansas City with the squad this evening and will stay back in Mexico City with a member of England medical staff.”
“Henderson injured his wrist celebrating at full-time. He appeared to land awkwardly after falling from the advertising hoardings following England’s 3-2 victory and was pictured leaving the pitch on a stretcher.”
Henderson is expected to join Reece James — already sidelined with a hamstring injury — on the treatment table.
Strangely, it’s another injury involving advertising boards that Galatasaray attacker Noa Lang suffered at Anfield earlier this year.