‘It was the moment’ – Thomas Tuchel reveals bizarre World Cup regret

Thomas Tuchel says he regrets not eating grass from the Azteca Stadium pitch following England’s heroic World Cup win over Mexico.

The Three Lions’ 3-2 victory over the co-hosts in July was one of the tournament’s most enthralling matches.

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Two goals from Jude Bellingham and a Harry Kane penalty was enough for ten-man England to see off a second-half Mexican onslaught.

The win was made all the more impressive due to the match being played 2,240 metres above sea level – a condition that Tuchel's men were not physically conditioned for.

The German sat down with Daniel Sturridge in ‘Reflections: England’s World Cup Journey’ - to be released on Wednesday - to reflect on the eventful night in Mexico City and revealed his one regret, albeit a slightly bizarre one.

“I texted a friend after the match,” Tuchel said. “And I just wrote: I regret that I didn’t eat some grass after the match, to keep something from this in my body forever. That was the feeling. It was the moment.”

Tuchel holds fond memories of the victory and in particular, the togetherness in the squad.

Fond memories

“This had so much of what you could wish for,” Tuchel added. “If you needed any proof of what it meant to these players, and how they were with each other, it was the moment when Jordan (Henderson) fell over and broke his arm. 

“In a second the players were there, every single player was there, stopping celebrations, building a shield, protecting Jordan, not going anywhere, in full empathy. It was so special.”

Tuchel came in for huge criticism following England's semi-final exit to Argentina.

The England boss was vilified for his passive tactical approach in the final 20 minutes which saw the Three Lions concede twice late on and exit the tournament.

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Despite the huge disappointment, Tuchel believes the 2-1 defeat to Lionel Scaloni’s men saw something his side can build on ahead of Euro 2028.

All eyes on Euro 2028

The 53-year-old also says he is fully focused on a successful home Euros campaign with his side.

“I’m very excited to work with these players, I’m excited to have new young players we can bring into the camp, and they can learn,” Tuchel said speaking for the first time since England’s third-place play-off victory over France in Miami. 

“I think we got another step closer. I think we’re there. It’s very difficult to prepare a World Cup in the US, but I think it’s possible to prepare for a Euros. And we prepare in Nations League tier one.

“The target is to have another ten matches. We had ten matches in the US: eight wins, one draw, one painful loss. But that is something to build on. 

“We all have the right to hold our heads high, and go with courage and positivity into the next challenges. We have four matches in the Nations League. That’s where the focus is.”

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Tuchel will lead England in their Nations League opener against world champions Spain at Wembley on Saturday, September 26, live on talkSPORT.

That match precedes trips to Czechia and Croatia in a newly formatted international break lasting three weeks with those matches also live on talkSPORT.