England produced one of the most gripping performances of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, beating Mexico 3-2 in a thrilling last-16 tie at the Azteca Stadium.
Jude Bellingham was the undisputed star of the night, scoring twice in a hostile atmosphere in front of an enormous crowd.
Harry Kane added a decisive penalty as Thomas Tuchel’s side dug deep to secure their place in the quarter-finals.
Mexico pushed hard late on and made it an uncomfortable finish, but the Three Lions held on to book their spot in the next round.
However, the post-match talking points shifted quickly when Jordan Henderson reportedly fell over the advertising boards while celebrating the victory.
Bellingham addressed the incident with care when speaking to BBC Sport, confirming that the experienced midfielder was being assessed by the medical team.
“He’s in a bit of bother, but our medical team have got everything under control, but it is probably best not to give too much detail as I do not really know what is going on, but everyone is there to support him and even that was a beautiful thing to see,” Bellingham told BBC Sport.
Newcastle United centre-back Dan Burn also confirmed that Henderson had suffered an injury jumping over the advertising hoardings during the celebrations, though the severity remained unclear.
Henderson may not always command the biggest headlines in this England squad, but his leadership and dressing-room influence remain highly valued by his teammates.
His relationship with Bellingham has been well documented, with Henderson previously defending the Real Madrid midfielder from public criticism on more than one occasion.
The immediate reaction from the players, rallying around Henderson after such a significant victory, painted a strong picture of unity within Tuchel’s squad.
These are the moments that can define a group’s mentality during a long and demanding tournament, binding players together beyond just shared results on the pitch.
England will now be hoping the injury is not serious, with a quarter-final clash against Norway already on the horizon.
Bellingham’s handling of the situation was calm, measured and mature, demonstrating leadership that extended well beyond his two crucial goals on the night.
For England, having a player who can deliver both on the pitch and with composure off it could prove just as important as any individual performance as the tournament progresses.
