A humorous clip from England’s 3-2 win against Mexico quickly gained widespread attention online. The footage captured manager Thomas Tuchel cheering along to music in the changing room before his mood suddenly shifted when Declan Rice alerted him that defender John Stones appeared to have sustained a shoulder injury.
Stones, who was feigning pain by clutching his shoulder and flexing his arm, suddenly began cheering as the music intensified. The shift in his demeanor brought immediate relief to Tuchel, who rushed over to embrace the 32-year-old. The video has since garnered over 40 million views on social media platforms.
Addressing the incident during an interview, Stones jokingly noted that his shoulder had its ups and downs. The defender admitted he struggled to maintain a serious expression, especially considering that midfielder Jordan Henderson had recently suffered a legitimate injury after falling while leaping over advertising boards. Stones acknowledged he was surprised by the massive response to the lighthearted moment.
Stones, who entered the match against Mexico after Bukayo Saka was substituted following Jarrel Quansah’s red card, is now preparing for England’s upcoming quarter-final match. The team is scheduled to face Norway in Miami this Saturday at 22:00 BST.
