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Michael Owen bucks the trend with brutal comments on England's Mexico win

England saw off Mexico in their own backyard to keep alive their World Cup dream but Michael Owen is not sold on their quality and believes the reaction has been overblown

[Michael Owen has issued England with a reality check]

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Michael Owen has issued England with a reality check(Image: PA Wire)

Michael Owen admits he was not blown away by England's win over Mexico and feels as though the reaction to their World Cup victory has been totally over the top.

The Three Lions secured a 3-2 win over the co-hosts in the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, thus dumping out the home side in their own backyard. England had to survive a late onslaught with ten men following the red card to Jarell Quansah, but stood firm.

Thomas Tuchel's side have seen the win hailed as one of their greatest successes in major tournament history but Owen feels the "bravery" narrative is excessive.

Rather than praising the backs-to-the-walls display Owen believes that England should've attempt to take control of the contest and praised Tuchel for his post-match comments, where he stopped short of hailing the performance and instead called for improvements.

He wrote in the Daily Mail: I was actually relieved to hear Thomas Tuchel say afterwards that there was plenty to improve on, because that's exactly how I saw it. I thought I was going mad listening to the reaction after the game.

Owen went on to claim: "I'd be concerned if people suddenly see this as the blueprint. What I find encouraging is that I don't think Tuchel does. Everything I've heard from him suggests he wants a team that presses together, controls possession and has the courage to keep playing football under pressure.

"We haven't seen enough of that yet. There have been too many moments when England have fallen into old habits. We score, we drop deeper. We come under pressure, we surrender possession."

[The Three Lions secured a historic win in Mexico City]

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The Three Lions secured a historic win in Mexico City(Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire)

England will face Norway in the last eight, where they will be favourites to advance to the semi-finals, and Owen insists the English game plan would not stand up against the elite teams in the World Cup if and when they met.

"If against France, Spain or Argentina, England play like they did versus Mexico, we'll get our backsides kicked," said the former striker. "You cannot spend long spells without the ball or keep on being sloppy with it against teams of that quality."

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