England boss Thomas Tuchel has shared a bizarre World Cup regret – not eating the Azteca grass after England’s magnificent win over Mexico.
It was one of the Three Lions’ great victories, holding on a man down against the co-hosts to win 3-2 in the last-16 following Jarrell Quansah’s red card.
Now Tuchel has reflected on that game and the campaign, brutally ended by Argentina in the semi-finals, speaking on the FA’s upcoming film: ‘Reflections: England’s World Cup journey’.
He said: ‘I texted a friend after the match and I just wrote, “I regret that I didn’t eat some grass after the match to keep something from this in my body forever”. That was the feeling. That was the moment.’
‘This game had so much of what you could wish for,’ added the German.
‘If you needed any proof of what it meant to these players and how they were with each other, it was the moment Jordan fell over and broke his arm.
Thomas Tuchel, pictured (right) celebrating England’s win over Mexico at the World Cup, made the strange remark that he regretted not eating the grass
‘Within a second, the players were there. Every single player was there stopping the celebrations, building a shield, protecting Jordan, not going anywhere, in full empathy. It was so special.’
It was a monumental win and one enjoyed by all England fans back at home who stayed up until the early hours to watch it.
Tuchel will now lead the team into a home Euros in two years and thinks they are in a better position after the World Cup to secure a first major trophy since 1966.
He added: ‘It feels like they are my players now, it’s something to build on.’
‘I’m very excited. I think we got another step closer and I think we’re there.’
The first international break of the season is fast approaching, with England taking on World Cup winners Spain on September 26.
That will be the first of four Nations League games. Tuchel and Co will also face Czechia twice either side of a game against Croatia.
The squad for those fixtures will be announced this Friday.
