Throughout this tournament, I’ve said England often lean on their star performers to dig us out of tight spots.
There’s nothing wrong with that, and Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham stepped up again with their goals against Mexico.
But to make a deep run at this World Cup, we were always going to need others to raise their level too—and they definitely did that in the last round.
Everyone who set foot on the Azteca pitch played their part, and Thomas Tuchel did as well with his substitutions and how effectively they paid off.
I’m 55, and I’d call that the best collective performance by any England side in my lifetime, especially away from home.
It was a joy to witness, because it was close to complete—considering the altitude, the incredible atmosphere, and then going down to 10 men.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen togetherness or team spirit like that to grind out a result in such a demanding situation. That’s how impressive it was.
It was brilliant to see that bond again in the dressing-room clips afterward, when John Stones pretended to be hurt before breaking into a dance with the rest of the squad.
I loved Tuchel’s reaction when he clocked the prank—it’s another glimpse of why this team truly is united, with the manager fully part of that spirit.
Facing Norway in Miami will be a completely different test, but if this World Cup has taught us anything, it’s that Tuchel’s England will be ready for whatever comes.
I don’t see this England team having a rigid identity, like Spain’s possession dominance or Argentina being built around Lionel Messi.
Instead, we’re adaptable. So far, we’ve simply played what’s in front of us, adjusting our approach to the opponent and the flow of the game.
That mindset has taken us to the quarter-finals, and there’s no reason to change it now.