Gordon silences Spanish critics with two assists as England stun Mexico 3-2 at the Azteca

Anthony Gordon answered his harshest critics with a commanding performance at the Azteca Stadium, helping England defeat co-hosts Mexico 3-2 in the World Cup round of 16 and prompting an immediate reversal from the Spanish media outlets that had questioned Barcelona’s decision to sign him.

The £70m summer signing from Newcastle had been branded “virtually invisible” and “barely involved” by Spanish press after underwhelming displays against Croatia and Ghana in the group stage. Those performances cost him his starting place, with England manager Thomas Tuchel turning to Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford instead. Barcelona had opted not to activate Rashford’s £26m purchase option at the end of the season, a call that drew pointed criticism from outlets in Spain.

Gordon forced his way back into the picture with two assists from the bench in the round of 32 against DR Congo, and Tuchel restored him to the starting XI for the Mexico tie. What followed was one of England’s finest World Cup performances in recent memory. Gordon played the full 111 minutes, earned a penalty, and was a constant menace down the left flank against the co-hosts.

Spanish sports daily Sport was among the most effusive in reversing its earlier verdict. “While Jude Bellingham provided the goals and Harry Kane the final touch, Anthony Gordon provided the wear and tear,” the outlet wrote. “The English winger turned the left flank into a one-way street, leaving Mexico no choice but to resort to fouls: he suffered four fouls, more than any other English player.”

Sport added: “Gordon’s performance was pure persistence. He tried everything: inside, outside and into space, always with the same idea — to take on defenders. He attempted half a dozen dribbles, repeatedly looking to get behind the Mexican defence with his bursts of speed. No English run was as deep as his and he didn’t even shy away from the dirty work, fighting for every loose ball.”

Mundo Deportivo was equally swift to change its assessment, noting that those who had expected Gordon to become the tournament’s cautionary tale “got a dose of reality” at the Azteca.

Rashford, meanwhile, departs the World Cup stage having failed to secure a permanent move to Barcelona, his loan spell ultimately not convincing the club to trigger the purchase clause. Gordon, by contrast, has given the Catalan side every reason to believe their £70m outlay was justified.