Wayne Rooney has first-hand knowledge of what it’s like to be sent off in a game like this – and he has nothing but sympathy for Jarell Quansah.
The England defender was shown a straight red card for a high tackle on Mexico’s Jesus Gallardo with Thomas Tuchel’s side 2-1 up at the time at a hostile Estadio Azteca.
England nonetheless went on to win an absolutely thrilling game 3-2 – but Quansah had to watch from the dressing room as his team clung on to see out the victory.
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‘It’s a red card – but I feel for him’ – Wayne Rooney on Jarell Quansah
Rooney has first-hand experience of exactly what Quansah would have been feeling like as he sat in bowels of Estadio Azteca watching the action on a TV screen.
The then-Manchester United striker was sent off at almost exactly the same stage of England’s goalless draw with Portugal in the 2006 World Cup quarter-finals, with the Three Lions going on to lose on penalties.
Rooney’s infamous dismissal came for stamping on Ricardo Carvalho, with his United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo then caught winking afterwards having succeeded in winding Rooney up.
Asked for his thoughts on Quansah’s red card, Rooney said: “I’ve been in the situation he’s been in, and it’s not an easy situation for him.
“It is a red card, it’s reckless and it’s high, so it is, it’s a red card – but I feel for him, because knowing what he was going through in that dressing room as the game’s going on…it’s such a horrible feeling.
“Unluckily for me, we went out, but hopefully he’s got another chance in this World Cup – but yeah, it’s not a nice feeling.
“Thankfully his teammates have helped him get through that sticky situation for him.”
England were nonetheless able to see the game out successfully, with Harry Kane converting from the penalty spot to add to Jude Bellingham’s first-half brace just minutes after the red card.
Raul Jimenez pulled one back for Mexico nine minutes later after Kane’s foul inside the England box, with that spot kick given after a pitchside VAR review – but the hosts were unable to find another goal to level things up.
England will now go on to face Norway in the quarter-finals on Saturday.