Gordon silences Spanish critics with starring role as England stun Mexico 3-2 at Azteca

Anthony Gordon answered his harshest critics with a commanding performance as England defeated co-hosts Mexico 3-2 at the Azteca Stadium in the World Cup round of 16, with Spanish media — who had savaged the Barcelona winger after his group-stage displays — quickly reversing their verdict.

Gordon, who completed a £70 million move from Newcastle to Barcelona in May, had been dropped from Thomas Tuchel’s starting line-up for England’s second and third group games against Panama and DR Congo after failing to impress on his tournament debut. Spanish publications had been particularly cutting, with one describing him as “virtually invisible” and “barely involved” against Croatia.

Reinstatement brought an immediate response. Gordon started on the left wing in Mexico City and was a constant menace for 111 minutes, winning a penalty, registering two assists, and drawing four fouls — more than any other England player — as Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane helped complete a famous victory in one of football’s most intimidating venues.

Sport, one of the Barcelona-based outlets that had been most critical, led the change in tone. “While Jude Bellingham provided the goals and Harry Kane the final touch, Anthony Gordon provided the wear and tear,” its match report read. “The English winger turned the left flank into a one-way street, leaving Mexico no choice but to resort to fouls. Gordon’s performance was pure persistence. He tried everything: inside, outside and into space, always with the same idea — to take on defenders. No English run was as deep as his.”

Mundo Deportivo was equally effusive. “For all those who thought Anthony Gordon was going to be the ‘meme’ of the World Cup, they got a dose of reality at the Azteca Stadium,” the publication wrote. “After signing for Barca, Gordon was under intense scrutiny from the very beginning. His first two matches weren’t good. He lost his starting spot to Rashford and the situation looked difficult. The third time as a starter, he got the Gordon Award, because the dazzling winger was vital in England’s victory in one of the toughest matches of the tournament.”

The turnaround underlines how quickly fortunes can shift at a World Cup. Gordon arrived in Mexico under pressure, with questions hanging over both his international credentials and his suitability for Barcelona. One performance in the cauldron of the Azteca has, for now, answered both.