Surviving the Azteca’s hostility proved Thomas Tuchel’s side possesses the grit required for glory. Now, the Three Lions must stifle Erling Haaland to secure a semi-final spot.
Morgan Rogers believes England’s chaotic World Cup win over Mexico showed they have an edge that goes beyond talent.
Now, England turn their attention to a quarter-final against Norway, having edged past Mexico 3-2 in a dramatic night at the Azteca. Jude Bellingham struck twice, with Harry Kane adding a penalty.
The celebrations were huge at the final whistle, but Rogers pointed to how England survived the chaos as the real story. Thomas Tuchel’s side had to dig deep through fatigue, pressure and a hostile Azteca crowd, with long stretches where character mattered more than control.
England always believed they had that resilience, Rogers said, but the Mexico win showed everyone else what they’re made of.
“I think it was more about showing everyone else,” Rogers said. “I think we knew that within ourselves, that we had that extra bit, what it takes.
“Everyone can be a good team. Everyone can have good players and win games off ability. But we knew we had that difference of togetherness, grit, determination that I think hadn’t been shown yet in the games we’ve played.”
That, for Rogers, is where England’s edge lies. The Mexico match was messy and far from comfortable, but it proved Tuchel’s players can find a way even when the game slips out of control.
“To do that, I think gives us a lot of confidence,” he said. “But I think it gives the fans back home and everyone that extra bit of belief that no matter how the game’s going, we’ll find a way.”
Norway present a different kind of challenge after knocking out Brazil 2-1 in the last 16. Rogers was quick to warn that England cannot see this as any sort of let-off just because the five-time champions are out.
“I think you can get bogged down in it sounding and being Brazil,” Rogers said. “But at the end of the day, if they don’t beat Norway, then Norway deserve to be there and that’s who we’re facing.
“We need to look at it exactly the same as we would if it was Brazil.”
The obvious danger is Erling Haaland, who gives Norway one of the most ruthless finishers in world football.
“Has anyone ever stopped Haaland? I’m not sure they have, but we’re going to try,” Rogers said.
The Aston Villa forward added that England’s focus has to be on cutting off the supply to Haaland, not just marking the striker, with Norway offering danger across the pitch.
Rogers also backed Kane ahead of a quarter-final that brings two elite forwards together.
“They’re the two for me at the top of their game,” he said of Kane and Haaland. “I hope it’s Harry and I’m sure it will be.”
England now stand two wins from a World Cup final, but Rogers insisted the squad cannot look past Norway.
“Every game you win is a step closer to the end goal,” he said. “But at the same time, if you take your eye off the ball for any second, that’s where you can get punished.”
The win over Mexico showed England can handle the chaos as well as the football. Norway will ask if they can do it again.
