Wayne Rooney was not on board with England’s jubilant celebrations after their win over Mexico, saying it’s ‘a bit too soon’ to be partying.
England booked their place in the World Cup quarter-finals on Sunday at the Azteca with a memorable 3-2 win over Mexico.
It was a drama-filled contest played in an electric atmosphere and has already been touted as one of the Three Lions’ finest wins in football’s biggest tournament.
A Jude Bellingham brave gave England a 2-0 lead, only for Julian Quinones to pull one back before half-time.
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Jarell Quansah was shown a red card early in the second half, but a Harry Kane penalty shortly after calmed some England nerves as they re-established a two-goal lead.
However, Kane then gave away a penalty which Raul Jimenez converted and gave England a testing final half an hour, which they survived to progress and face Norway in the last eight.
There were great celebrations on the pitch in Mexico City – although they did cost Jordan Henderson his World Cup involvement – and footage has emerged from the dressing room, which saw players, management and staff all partying after the famous win.
Watching the celebrations as part of the BBC’s coverage of Spain’s win over Portugal, former Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta said: ‘As a player, when you have had these kinds of games against a host, this atmosphere, you have to enjoy it.
‘Life is about balance, football is about balance, it’s time to enjoy it. Now they will recover and be ready for another game.’
Rooney was clearly uncomfortable with those sentiments, looking concerned by the joyful scenes in the England camp.
The Manchester United legend said: ‘I’m a bit more old school. After you win anything… I know you’ve got to enjoy it but I think it’s a bit too soon.’
England boss Thomas Tuchel was not ready to calm down the celebrations in the aftermath of the win, saying it felt like England had won a final.
‘I’m so happy with the players, and also for me, to live this experience in the last two days. Such a special memory, and against all the adversity it makes it very special for us,’ he said.
‘If a team has heart and belief then it’s this team. They did it on pure will. No words. Iconic match, iconic stadium, we overcame so much adversity today.
‘I felt in the build-up that it never felt like a round-of-16 game. It still doesn’t, it feels like we won a final or something.’
England have plenty of time to reset and prepare for their quarter-final against Norway in Miami on Saturday.
It is a more generous turnaround than has been afforded to Spain and Belgium, who won their last 16 games on Monday and meet each other in the quarter-finals on Friday.