The winning England squad sang “Wonderwall” so much, and so loud, in the wake of their euphoric victory against Mexico that Harry Kane lost his voice – and Liam Gallagher couldn’t resist joking about the viral moment.
In the early hours of Monday (6 July), England held Mexico to a nail-biting 3-2 defeat in Mexico City’s legendary Estadio Azteca, and after belting out the Oasis classic, Kane was interviewed, but could barely speak.
He squeaked his way through the conversation, telling the BBC’s Kelly Somers: “I can’t even talk.” The interview was met with amusement by the studio panel, with host Kelly Cates saying it would “go down in history” and pundit Wayne Rooney cracking up and describing it as “the best interview I’ve ever seen”.
Oasis star Gallagher himself reacted to the moment, writing on X/Twitter: “It’s hard work that singing Harry Kane cmon ENGLAND cmon WONDERWALL.”
The 1995 track has succeeded Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” as this year’s unofficial England anthem. While Diamond’s cosy 1969 mega-hit represented Gareth Southgate’s tenure as manager, “Wonderwall” has become the soundtrack to England’s victory laps under Thomas Tuchel, one year on from Oasis’s huge reunion shows and just in time for former Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to enter Number 10.
Many celebrities and fans at home stayed up into the early hours to watch last night’s match, despite it being pushed back by an hour for a 2am BST kick-off due to thunderstorms in Mexico City.
But they were rewarded with a match considered one of England’s all-time best performances, with midfielder Jude Bellingham scoring two goals in the 36th and 38th minutes, and Kane securing the win with a penalty in the 60th minute.
Mexico managed two goals, including their own penalty in the 68th minute, but despite England being down to 10 men after right-back Jarell Quansah was sent off, Thomas Tuchel’s side dug deep to book their place in the quarter finals, where they will play Norway on Saturday (11 June).
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 30-day free trial. Terms apply.
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 30-day free trial. Terms apply.
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Keir Starmer called it “one of the greatest England matches I’ve ever seen”, and Donald Trump praised Kane in the wake of the match, with the US president calling him “a GREAT player!!!”
House and Night Manager actor Hugh Laurie hailed the result as “unbelievable”, while Good Will Hunting actor Minnie Driver wrote on Instagram: “My whole life I’ve been waiting to see us play like this. To win at the Azteca, with attitude at altitude, with so much heart and with 10 men.”
Piers Morgan called it the “greatest England performance” he’s ever seen, writing: “Absolute heroes, every one of them. Congrats to Thomas Tuchel on masterminding an incredible victory in the match of the World Cup so far. If we keep playing like this, it may come home!”
DJ Roman Kemp added: “Regardless of whatever the rest of the tournament brings, that was one of the proudest moments I’ve had watching England. Full backs against the wall. Full belief in each other. Full grit. FOOTBALL.”