England winger Anthony Gordon sees funny side of viral touchline exchange with Mexico boss Javier Aguirre - and reveals he has stayed away from bikes!

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Anthony Gordon has responded to the viral touchline exchange with Mexico manager Javier Aguirre, with the England winger claiming he was rather amused by the lighthearted sentiment directed at him during the blood and thunder of Sunday's epic 3-2 victory at the Azteca Stadium.

'It is really painful' - Aguirre says Mexico players should be proud after England defeat

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Gordon played his part as England booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, inflicting a first competitive defeat on Mexico at their high-altitude fortress since September 2013.

The new £70 million Barcelona signing was instrumental off the bench against DR Congo in the round of 32 before he won a crucial penalty during the second half against the tournament co-hosts, allowing Harry Kane to re-establish a two-goal cushion which would ultimately prove unassailable.

During a frenetic evening in the white-hot atmosphere of the Azteca, veteran manager Aguirre could still afford himself a moment of levity as he approached Jude Bellingham and asked for his jersey in Spanish as a keepsake for his father-in-law.

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Returning to his place inside his technical area, the 67-year-old was then immediately caught in English summoning Gordon on the touchline, saying 'F*** you!' before bursting into laughter.

The England winger is seen smiling at the quip, which has gone viral this week on social media - and Gordon was unsurprisingly asked about the incident during an interview with the Daily Telegraph on Thursday.

"With all the heat and tension around the game, it was a bit of fun," Gordon said.

Anthony Gordon wins England a penalty against Mexico at the Azteca

Image credit: Getty Images

"I'd just run the full-back down the line so it was a bit of a compliment from him. That’s how I took it, anyway. He was a funny guy. He was talking to me and Jude all game. I quite liked it."

The goodwill among Mexicans and English football supporters was on display throughout the last-16 clash, with reports that the Football Association are now considering inviting Mexico to play an international friendly at Wembley Stadium.

Regardless of whether that comes to fruition, the nature of England's victory this week is sure to leave a lasting impression, with the dressing-room prank involving John Stones and Declan Rice - at Thomas Tuchel's expense - demonstrating the camaraderie that is building in the camp.

Gordon was part of the squad who reached the final of Euro 2024, but the contrast with two years ago could hardly be greater.

Under Gareth Southgate, he played just a single cameo role as a substitute at Euro 2024, with his tournament remembered less for his contribution on the pitch than for the cuts and bruises he suffered after falling from his bike at England's team hotel.

The 25-year-old revealed that his training-ground routine is somewhat different this time around.

”I’ve stayed away from those bikes,” he continued, before reflecting on a tournament spent almost entirely on the bench.

"I didn’t enjoy it at the time, but I can use that for experience. When we got the squad numbers, I texted my agent and, I’m not going to lie, I wanted No 11.

"But when I got No. 18, I texted my agent and I said: 'It’s actually a good thing because I get to put right in that number.' Because in the Euros, I was No. 18 and I felt like it was a waste of a summer for me. So, I viewed this as an opportunity to make something special out of that number."

‘So proud’ - Tuchel speaks of mixed emotions after England win over Mexico

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Gordon also revealed that Tuchel has not shied away from pitching players in direct competition for places up against each other, and that competitive atmosphere generated by the German is a management style that suits the Liverpool-born forward.

"I don’t know this, but he seems very spiritual," Gordon added on Tuchel. "Basically, everything is about a higher purpose, rather than focusing on individuals. It's not about individuals. It's us killing our egos and putting ourselves beneath the end goal. Every one of his quotes, every motivational tactic, is all leading towards that.

"We kid ourselves that we play football to win. We want to win, of course, but we want to see who we can become. You chase elite success to see who you can become along the way. I have always been very intrigued mentally to see who I could become.

"I am from a very poor area, a very poor background, just a normal family and I have obviously made the journey to this level. I want to keep doing that. I want to learn as many languages, I want to read as many books and see what kind of person I can become."

Saka: I'm ready to go

Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka has declared himself fit to start Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against Norway, insisting he is "ready to go" after carefully managing an ongoing Achilles problem throughout the tournament.

The 24-year-old has started two of England's five matches so far but has not played more than 63 minutes in any game as the coaching staff continue to monitor a long-standing Achilles issue.

Speaking on Thursday, Arsenal's Saka acknowledged that he had not arrived at the tournament in peak condition but praised England's medical and coaching teams for handling his recovery.

"Across the tournament, my minutes have been building and building. Of course, I would've loved to have come to this tournament 100 percent, but that wasn't the case.

Bukayo Saka is yet to have a major impact at the tournament

Image credit: Getty Images

"Everyone's realised that, and they've managed me in the best way possible. Right now, I'm feeling great, and I'm ready to go.

"Each game has been unique for me, but my mindset doesn't really change much. Whether I start or play, I just try and do what the game needs, whether it needs a goal or the team to defend. It's about winning."

Saka also revealed that the squad have put the "drama and the emotions" of the Mexico result behind them, adding: "Our spirits are high, and we need to take that into the next game.

"We've soaked in all the praise and everything that comes with it, but now we need to focus on Norway, which is going to be another tough challenge.

"A different challenge, but we're fully focused and positive that we'll win on Saturday."

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