John Stones must have anticipated the inevitable inquiry. After Mexico were overcome in one of England’s most memorable displays, attention shifted in part to the quarter‑final meeting with Norway in Miami on Saturday and a certain ponytailed striker. Stones knows Erling Haaland well, having spent the previous four seasons as his teammate at Manchester City, but this was not the moment to delve into the specifics of how to contain him.
At one stage, as Stones addressed the media in the Azteca stadium following England’s dramatic 3-2 victory on Sunday, he suggested he had only just learned which opponent his team would face next. Yet Norway had defeated Brazil to progress well before England kicked off against Mexico. In many ways, it was typical relaxed Stones, someone who prefers to stay in the present. The centre‑back did, naturally, speak of his regard for Haaland and Norway.
The line of questioning that resonated with Stones, now a free agent after departing City, was a wider one that touched on England’s prospects of winning this tournament and meeting the suddenly soaring hopes and dreams. For much of the World Cup, England have been unusually exposed defensively. There has been a fragility to some of their play, with too many gaps presented to the opposition. Jordan Pickford has not always exuded complete certainty in goal. And when Mexico reduced the deficit to 3-2 in the 69th minute through Raúl Jiménez’s spot‑kick, England faced the ultimate examination of their defensive steel.
They had been down to 10 men since the 54th minute after Jarell Quansah was dismissed for a rash tackle on Jesús Gallardo. Thomas Tuchel sent on Stones in place of Bukayo Saka immediately afterwards and reorganised into a 4-4-1. But the manager’s decisive move arrived in the 75th minute when he brought on Dan Burn and Djed Spence for Elliot Anderson and Nico O’Reilly, switching to a 5-3-1 formation.
Could England protect their lead with one player fewer against a Mexico side boasting an extraordinary record at the Azteca? They had lost only two of 89 competitive matches at their home ground. The roaring crowd played a part, as did the altitude. That odd, draining sensation the England players could not quite pinpoint? It was the consequence of being 2,240 metres above sea level with no time to adapt.
England’s response amplified the positivity because, with the back five, they denied Mexico a clear sight of Pickford’s goal. It was Ezri Konsa at right wing‑back, Spence on the opposite flank and Stones, Marc Guéhi and Burn in the centre. There was anxiety among the England supporters when 11 minutes of added time were shown, but none from the players, who charted their progress through blocks, clearances and interceptions.
Stones congratulates his defensive partner Marc Guéhi at the final whistle. Photograph: Fernando Llano/AP
Stones made five defensive interventions, Burn an exceptional eight; no England player registered more. Spence had six. It was also a strong display from Pickford. He had produced two diving saves to deny Jiménez in the first half – the first was the highlight, low to his left when the score was still 0-0 – and he dealt confidently with high deliveries in the closing stages. Taken as a defensive unit, it was a powerful statement.
“Absolutely,” Stones said. “And in terms of our depth, too – with Dan, Djed and myself coming on, Ezri moving to the right. It’s not an easy place to come; statistically, Mexico have been so formidable at home. We had 10 men and for that spell … we had to absorb a lot of pressure and really dig in.
“It was hugely satisfying to see the reaction of the blocks and the saves and things like that. They are small victories for us as defenders but they foster a real winning mentality and atmosphere that gets everyone fired up. I’m really pleased for the lads who came on and had such an impact. We’ve come through it now and as a player, knowing and having lived through that experience and coming out on the right side of it is heartening.”
It has been a challenging season for Stones. His progress was halted by injury in early December, sidelining him for two months, and after that he featured in only five more matches for City. At the World Cup finals, after starting the opening game against Croatia, he was an unused substitute against Ghana and Panama. In the round of 32 he came on in the 89th minute against the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Stones is the most decorated defender in the England camp, the most capped; clearly the most prominent name. He knows that putting the team first is everything.
“I’ve been ready to go [and play full matches] from earlier in the year,” he said. “I’ve not had the chance, which is what it is. I’m frustrated when I don’t play. I want to play. But I feel like the mentality of the lads who don’t play is incredible and that’s something that is rare within a tournament.
“You’re away from family, you’re training every day, you’re not playing as much as you’d like to … and we’re all hungry to contribute. We all share the same objective which is to reach that final and see where it takes us. I feel great and I’m loving helping and performing the way I did against Mexico.”
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