England’s memorable FIFA World Cup victory over Mexico was overshadowed by a freak post-match injury to veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson, who was rushed to hospital after suffering what manager Thomas Tuchel described as a “really bad” wrist injury during the celebrations at the Estadio Azteca.Videos circulating on social media showed Henderson falling awkwardly from the advertising hoardings as England’s players celebrated their dramatic 3-2 Round of 16 victory. The 36-year-old was later stretchered off the pitch before being taken to hospital, casting a shadow over one of England’s most famous World Cup wins.
Freak celebration ends with hospital visit
Henderson did not feature in the thrilling contest against Mexico, but joined his teammates on the pitch after the final whistle following England’s historic triumph at the iconic Estadio Azteca.However, the celebrations took a painful turn when the experienced midfielder appeared to lose his balance after climbing onto the advertising boards. He landed awkwardly on his wrist and was unable to continue, requiring immediate medical attention.Television cameras captured Henderson being placed on a stretcher before he was transported from the stadium, while videos of the incident quickly spread across social media.WATCH:Speaking after the match, England manager Thomas Tuchel confirmed the injury appeared serious.“Jordan just fell over and injured his wrist. It looks really bad,” Tuchel told BBC One. “It’s a quite serious injury and it doesn’t fit to the evening that Jordan is now not with us. The doctor told me he is in hospital.”Tuchel later reiterated that he had “mixed feelings” after the famous victory.“I am sad because Jordan injured his wrist and it is quite serious. It just does not fit with the evening that Jordan is not with us,” he said. “I do not know the procedure; the doctor told me that he is in the hospital.”
Tuchel hails England’s fighting spirit
Despite Henderson’s injury, Tuchel praised his players for producing one of England’s greatest World Cup performances.Reduced to 10 men after Jarell Quansah’s red card early in the second half, England held off relentless Mexican pressure to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory and book a quarterfinal meeting with Norway.“I am very proud,” Tuchel said. “We needed everything. It was super difficult. In the moments we thought we could catch the momentum, we had setbacks. That is proper mentality. This team really mean it. When the going gets tough, they never give up, they never lose belief. It was one step more.”Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, he added: “We need to take this in. This is Azteca, it’s Mexico, a crazy game. We left everything out there, every single one of us.”“If a team has heart and a team has belief on pure will. I have no words, an iconic match in an iconic stadium and we overcame so much adversity today.”England’s victory, inspired by Jude Bellingham’s first-half brace and Harry Kane’s penalty, ended Mexico’s unbeaten World Cup record at the Estadio Azteca and sent the Three Lions into their 11th World Cup quarterfinal.
