Wayne Rooney said England produced ‘one of their greatest ever performances’ to beat Mexico and reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
Thomas Tuchel’s side recovered from a red card and some VAR agony to beat co-hosts Mexico 3-2 and book their place in the quarters, where they will face Norway.
England appeared to take control of the last-16 tie through a quickfire Jude Bellingham brace before half-time.
But Mexico had renewed belief going into the interval after Julian Quinones smashed home after England failed to deal with a free-kick.
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The momentum was with Mexico when England right-back Jarell Quansah was sent off just after half-time following a VAR review for a high challenge.
But Kane then restored England’s two-goal advantage from the penalty spot after the lively Anthony Gordon was brought down by Mexican goalkeeper Raul Rangel.
Mexico won a penalty of their own soon after – Kane penalised following yet another VAR review – and Raul Jimenez’s goal set up an agonising final half an hour.
The hosts launched wave after wave of attacks but England heroically held on to knock the co-hosts out of the World Cup and advance to the quarter-finals.
Rooney said ‘the whole England team’ were excellent out in Mexico City but was keen to single out Arsenal midfielder Rice following his fitness concerns.
‘That was one of England’s greatest results and performances,’ Rooney said on BBC One. ‘The attitude, the grit, the desire – they had it all.
‘We sat in and I was worried we went too deep too early but they put bodies on the line, they were all oustanding and I thought we deserved it, we were the better team.
‘The whole team were excellent but the big players stood up tonight – Jordan Pickford had his best game and the two centre backs were really good, ahead of the defence Declan Rice was excellent and Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane really turned up tonight.’
Fellow England legend Alan Shearer was also full of praise for the Three Lions, adding: ‘Those players have represented their country in magnificent form tonight.
‘Every single player had the right attitude. Everything that could have gone against them, everything that was thrown at them, the energy, the altitude, they have got past all of that and they deserved it.
‘That is an incredible performance from start to finish. What an incredible night.’
Shearer added: ‘From the off the way that England tried to manage the game, the energy and taking the game to Mexico in really difficult circumstances.
‘Then to get the two goals, then to be hurt so soon afterwards and going into half time at 2-1.
‘The second half started positive but then the red card and a penalty and you thought, “what else is going against us?”
‘The way they stuck together and the manager’s substitutions to go five at the back at the end, then Pickford was brilliant, a few great saves and coming out and taking the pressure off the defence when he could.
‘Every single one of them was superb.’
England’s quarter-final opponents Norway beat the well-fancied Brazil in the round-of-16 to progress in the World Cup.
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