'I know what he was going through in that dressing room, it's such a horrible feeling' - Wayne Rooney offers unique perspective on Jarell Quansah's England red card against Mexico

Jarell Quansah leaves the pitch in tears after his red card against Mexico
Jarell Quansah was picked at right-back but was dismissed on 54 minutes (Image credit: Getty Images)

Wayne Rooney has first-hand knowledge of what it's like to be sent off in a game like this - and he has nothing but sympathy for Jarell Quansah.

The England defender was shown a straight red card for a high tackle on Mexico's Jesus Gallardo with Thomas Tuchel's side 2-1 up at the time at a hostile Estadio Azteca.

England nonetheless went on to win an absolutely thrilling game 3-2 - but Quansah had to watch from the dressing room as his team clung on to see out the victory.

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'It's a red card - but I feel for him' - Wayne Rooney on Jarell Quansah

Wayne Rooney is red carded against Portugal at the 2006 World Cup

Wayne Rooney was sent off against Portugal as England went out in the 2006 World Cup (Image credit: Getty Images)

Rooney has first-hand experience of exactly what Quansah would have been feeling like as he sat in bowels of Estadio Azteca watching the action on a TV screen.

The then-Manchester United striker was sent off at almost exactly the same stage of England's goalless draw with Portugal in the 2006 World Cup quarter-finals, with the Three Lions going on to lose on penalties.

Jarell Quansah was shown a straight red card for a high tackle on Jesus Gallardo

The challenge that earned Jarell Quansah his red card against Mexico (Image credit: Getty Images)

Rooney's infamous dismissal came for stamping on Ricardo Carvalho, with his United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo then caught winking afterwards having succeeded in winding Rooney up.

Asked for his thoughts on Quansah's red card, Rooney said: "I've been in the situation he's been in, and it's not an easy situation for him.

"It is a red card, it's reckless and it's high, so it is, it's a red card - but I feel for him, because knowing what he was going through in that dressing room as the game's going on...it's such a horrible feeling.

"Unluckily for me, we went out, but hopefully he's got another chance in this World Cup - but yeah, it's not a nice feeling.

"Thankfully his teammates have helped him get through that sticky situation for him."

Jarell Quansah was sent off after a VAR review

Jarell Quansah was given his marching orders in the 54th minute (Image credit: Getty Images)

England were nonetheless able to see the game out successfully, with Harry Kane converting from the penalty spot to add to Jude Bellingham's first-half brace just minutes after the red card.

Raul Jimenez pulled one back for Mexico nine minutes later after Kane's foul inside the England box, with that spot kick given after a pitchside VAR review - but the hosts were unable to find another goal to level things up.

England will now go on to face Norway in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

Steven Chicken

Steven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication, WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.

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