Rooney empathises with Quansah after red card as 10-man England survive Mexico scare

Jarell Quansah was shown a straight red card as England beat Mexico 3-2 at the Estadio Azteca in their 2026 World Cup round-of-16 tie, and former England captain Wayne Rooney knows precisely what the defender endured watching the final stages from the dressing room.

Quansah’s high tackle on Jesus Gallardo earned him an immediate dismissal with Thomas Tuchel’s side leading 2-1. Despite being reduced to ten men, England extended their advantage through Harry Kane’s penalty before Raul Jimenez converted a spot kick of his own — awarded after a pitchside VAR review — to make it 3-2. Mexico could not find a leveller, and England progressed.

Rooney was sent off at almost exactly the same stage of England’s quarter-final against Portugal at the 2006 World Cup, dismissed for stamping on Ricardo Carvalho in a goalless draw that England ultimately lost on penalties. His United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo was famously caught winking at the camera after playing a role in winding Rooney up.

“I’ve been in the situation he’s been in, and it’s not an easy situation for him,” Rooney said. “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.”

Rooney acknowledged the contrasting outcomes for the two players. “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.”

Jude Bellingham had given England a first-half brace before Kane’s penalty extended the lead moments after Quansah’s dismissal. Jimenez’s reply set up a nervy finish, but Tuchel’s side held firm to book a quarter-final place.

England will face Norway in the last eight on Saturday.