John Stones pulled a cheeky prank on Thomas Tuchel as England’s jubilant stars partied in the dressing room after their stunning 3-2 victory over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium on Monday.
England heroically held on to win at Mexico’s national stadium after being reduced to 10 men early in the second half, showing grit and resilience against adversity to stage one of the Three Lions’ greatest World Cup victories since 1966.
Footage of England’s players celebrating in the dressing room has been shared to social media following the historic win, which has set up an intriguing quarter-final with Erling Haaland’s Norway on Saturday.
In the video, Declan Rice grabs the attention of his manager Tuchel to indicate that Stones, who defended admirably after coming on in the second half, may have injured his shoulder.
With music blaring in the background, the Manchester City defender begins clutching his right shoulder before Tuchel turns around with a horrified look on his face.
John Stones pranked Thomas Tuchel by pretending he hurt his shoulder after England’s win
Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham inspired England to a heroic 3-2 win over Mexico on Monday
Stones, wincing in a hunched position, keeps up the charade as the song crescendos and then suddenly pumps the air in time with the music as the beat drops.
Rice, who was in on the act, then cheers and immediately bounces up and down before being joined by the rest of the dressing room, who all saw the funny side.
The video ends with Tuchel heading over to embrace Stones after falling victim to the prank, bursting out laughing with an expression of both relief and amusement.
England’s official X account posted the footage to social media on Monday, writing with dancing, laughing and fire emojis: ‘John Stones. The energy in the changing room last night.’
The clip has since gone viral with over eight million views at the time of writing, with fans loving the mood inside the dressing room.
BBC pundit Wayne Rooney was not impressed by the stunt however, and fears the Three Lions may be celebrating a touch too early.
Speaking on BBC One after Spain’s 1-0 win over Portugal, he said: ‘I’m a bit more old school. I know you’ve got to enjoy it, but I think it’s a bit too soon.’
Stones may play a crucial role for England in Saturday’s quarter-final against Norway, as he comes face-to-face with former City team-mate Haaland, who has been in remarkable form so far this World Cup with a tally of seven goals.
Tuchel looked concerned initially but saw the funny side after it was revealed as a prank
Wayne Rooney wasn’t impressed by the prank and fears England are celebrating ‘too early’
The centre-half, who is now a free agent, called time on his fruitful 10-year spell at the Etihad at the end of last season.
England were indeed hit with an injury blow during their triumphant Azteca celebrations on Monday after Jordan Henderson suffered a nasty fall over the stadium’s advertising hoardings.
The Brentford midfielder was rushed to hospital with a broken wrist and has thus been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament, although he is set to stay with England’s squad until the end of the World Cup.
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