England player forced off on stretcher with serious issue after win during celebrations
England secured a spot in the World Cup quarter-final after a magnificent win in Mexico against the co-hosts, but the triumph wasn't without its adversity.
A double from Jude Bellingham and a penalty from Harry Kane ensured that the Three Lions would set up a final eight showdown against Norway on Saturday night, despite playing much of the second-half with ten men after Jarell Quansah received his marching orders for a bad tackle.
Although Thomas Tuchel might be planning on pulling in a favour with Donald Trump to get that red card ban suspended, as the US have controversially managed with star striker Folarin Balogun after his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, one player England look almost certain to be without against Haaland and co is Jordan Henderson.
Huge concern was sparked for Henderson after the Brentford midfielder suffered what looked to be a serious injury during the post-match celebrations.
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Videos online show the former Liverpool captain attempting to jump over the advertising boards after being serenaded with 'Wonderwall' by the England fans, only to fall and hurt himself.
Bellingham alluded to the injury in his post-match conference, confirming that the 36-year-old was in a 'bit of bother', while other reports have suggested that he was rushed to hospital following the bizarre injury, which also saw him stretchered off.
The two-goal World Cup hero told the BBC: “He’s in a bit of bother but our medical team have got everything under control probably. Best not to give too much detail when I don’t know too much what is going on. Everyone was there to support him and even that was a beautiful thing to see.”
The injury came after Henderson was handed a yellow card, despite being an unused substitute in the match.
He was booked after arguing with the ref and interfering with a throw-in from the sidelines.
Thomas Tuchel, the England coach, said later: “Jordan injured his wrist, it just doesn’t fit to the evening that Jordan is not with us. I don’t know the procedure, the doctor told me he is in the hospital.”
It will come as news to a lot of England fans who presumably didn't stick around for the post-match analysis, given that we didn't finish up until well after 4am, after kick-off was delayed by one hour due to the weather, while the referee also added on a ridiculous amount of injury time at the end of the game.
However, while many England fans, myself included, have forced themselves into work this morning on very little sleep, it was all worth it after a memorable game which vanquished any demons from playing in the Azteca, while it was also the first time that the Three Lions had beaten a host at a World Cup.
Maybe, just maybe, it might be coming home.
World Cup 2026 fixture schedule and UK kick off times
Monday, 6 July
Round of 16 - Match 93: Portugal vs Spain, kick-off 8pm - Arlington, US
Tuesday, 7 July
Round of 16 - Match 94: USA vs Belgium, kick-off 1am - Seattle, US
Round of 16 - Match 95: Argentina vs Egypt, kick-off 5pm - Atlanta, US
Round of 16 - Match 96: Switzerland vs Colombia, kick-off 9pm - Vancouver, Canada
Thursday, 9 July
Quarter-final - Match 97: France vs Morocco, kick-off 9pm - Foxborough, US
Friday, 10 July
Quarter-final - Match 98: Match 93 winners vs Match 94 winners, kick-off 8pm - Los Angeles, US
Saturday, 11 July
Quarter-final - Match 99: Norway vs England, kick-off 10pm - Miami, US
Sunday, 12 July
Quarter-final - Match 100: Match 95 winners vs Match 96 winners, kick-off 2am - Kansas City, US
Tuesday, 14 July
Semi-final - Match 101: Match 97 winners vs Match 98 winners, kick-off 8pm - Arlington, US
Wednesday, 15 July
Semi-final - Match 102: Match 99 winners vs Match 100 winners, kick-off 8pm - Atlanta, US
Saturday, 18 July
Third Place Playoff - Match 103: Match 101 losers vs Match 102 losers, kick-off 10pm - Miami, US
Sunday, 19 July
Final - Match 104: Match 101 winners vs Match 102 winners, kick-off 8pm - New Jersey, US
James Moorhouse