Shearer: I've changed my mind, England can win the World Cup
Alan Shearer says England's epic win over Mexico has convinced him they can truly win the World Cup, calling it the best team performance he has ever seen from the side.
Former England captain and now pundit Alan Shearer has admitted he has changed his mind about England's chances of winning the World Cup. After watching England's dramatic victory over Mexico, Shearer now genuinely believes the team can go all the way.
"Before the game, I didn't truly believe England could win this World Cup – but I've changed my mind, and I think everyone else has too," Shearer told BBC Sport. "Every single player who stepped on that pitch played their part. It was an absolute pleasure to watch, because it was pretty much complete – considering the altitude, the incredible atmosphere, and going down to 10 men."
Shearer described the performance as the best team display he has seen from an England side in his lifetime, especially away from home. He praised Thomas Tuchel's substitutions and the team's togetherness, citing the dressing room celebration prank where John Stones pretended to be injured before dancing.
Looking ahead to the quarter-final against Norway, Shearer highlighted the threat of Erling Haaland. "If we can stop Erling Haaland, then we have a much better chance of winning that game," he said. "He's world class, relentless, and there's no way of stopping him – you just have to restrict his supply."
Shearer drew parallels to Euro '96, when England's 4-1 win over the Netherlands made him feel unstoppable. He believes this England side, with their adaptability and resilience, can go at least one step further than his generation did.
