World Cup 2026: England show us why they can be champions – Alan Shearer

I’ve talked earlier in this tournament about how England rely on their big-hitters to get us out of trouble.

Nothing wrong with that, and Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham once again delivered Their goal against Mexico.

But we always need other players to step up to go deep in this World Cup, and they certainly did that in the last round.

Every single player who stepped on that pitch at Azteca played their part and so did Thomas Tuchel with his replacements and how well they did.

I am 55 and I would describe that display as the best team performance I have seen from any England team in my lifetime, especially away from home.

It was an absolute joy to be there to see it, because it was almost full, from the height and the incredible atmosphere they had to go, then to 10 people.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen unity or team spirit – to get results under such difficult circumstances. That’s how good it was.

It was great to see more of the same with clips of the players celebrating in the dressing room afterwards, when John Stones feigned injury before starting to dance with the rest of the group.

I also loved Tuchel’s reaction, when he realizes it’s a prank, and it’s another insight into why this team is together when they say they are, and the manager is part of it.

Playing Norway in Miami is going to be a completely different challenge but what we have learned from this World Cup is that, whatever happens in the game, Tuchel’s England will be ready.

I don’t look at this England team and think we’ve got a certain identity, the way Spain are always in possession or Argentina is built around Lionel Messi.

Instead, we adapt. So far, we’ve played the game in front of us, changing our approach depending on who we’re up against and how the game is going.

Doing that got us into the last eight, and I don’t think that should change now.