England midfielder Elliot Anderson has spoken movingly about the personal heartbreak he has carried throughout the World Cup, revealing that football has become his refuge following the death of his mother just weeks before the tournament began.

In the emotional aftermath of England’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Mexico at the Estadio Azteca, Anderson reflected not only on one of the biggest nights of his career but also on the difficult journey that brought him there. While the nation celebrated a famous win that secured England a place in the World Cup quarter-finals, the 23-year-old admitted that every appearance in the tournament has been played with thoughts of his mother close to his heart.

Helen Anderson passed away in April after a prolonged illness, a devastating loss for the Nottingham Forest midfielder and his family. Her death came only days before Forest’s Europa League fixture against FC Porto, forcing Anderson to step away from football temporarily as he mourned alongside his loved ones.

The midfielder missed that European match on compassionate leave before returning to action only a few days later. Prior to his first appearance back at the City Ground, Anderson paid a touching tribute by placing a wreath on the pitch in memory of his mother, an emotional gesture that resonated with supporters and teammates alike.

More than three months have now passed since that difficult period, but Anderson admitted the pain remains with him every day. Speaking after England’s memorable victory in Mexico City, he explained that playing football has become one of the few places where he can temporarily escape the weight of grief.

He described stepping onto the pitch as a form of release, allowing him to clear his mind from the emotions that continue to accompany the loss of someone so important in his life. While acknowledging that many personal challenges still remain, Anderson said representing England has provided him with purpose during an incredibly difficult chapter.

The midfielder also reflected on what the occasion would have meant to his mother.

He smiled while imagining how she would have celebrated alongside the rest of his family inside the stadium. Anderson said he could picture her joining England supporters in singing after the final whistle and sharing in the unforgettable atmosphere created by one of the country’s greatest World Cup victories.

Although she was not physically present, Anderson admitted he felt her influence throughout the evening. He said he hoped she would have been proud of everything he has achieved over recent months despite the immense personal challenges he has faced.

His emotional comments added another layer of significance to England’s remarkable performance at the Azteca.

Anderson has quietly established himself as one of Thomas Tuchel’s most dependable players during the tournament. While much of the attention has understandably focused on stars such as Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, the Nottingham Forest midfielder has become a vital component of England’s balance in midfield.

Working alongside Declan Rice, Anderson has contributed energy, defensive discipline and composure throughout the competition. His tireless work without possession has often allowed England’s more attacking players the freedom to influence matches higher up the pitch.

The tournament has also arrived during a period of major change in Anderson’s club career.

The Newcastle-born midfielder is widely expected to complete a high-profile move to Manchester City in a transfer reportedly valued at around £120 million. Despite the inevitable speculation surrounding his future, Anderson has remained fully focused on England’s World Cup campaign.

That professionalism has earned praise from teammates and coaching staff alike, particularly given the emotional circumstances he has been dealing with away from football.

Against Mexico, Anderson once again played an important role in one of England’s most memorable victories in modern tournament history.

The challenge facing Tuchel’s side was enormous before kickoff. Playing at high altitude inside the intimidating Estadio Azteca against the host nation represented one of the most demanding assignments imaginable.

The passionate Mexican supporters created an intense atmosphere from the opening whistle, attempting to overwhelm England during the early stages. For a brief period, the hosts appeared to have the momentum as England adjusted to both the conditions and the occasion.

However, the visitors gradually settled into the contest before producing a devastating burst of attacking football late in the first half.

Jude Bellingham broke the deadlock after meeting Bukayo Saka’s excellent cross with a perfectly timed header. Barely two minutes later, the Real Madrid midfielder struck again, reacting quickest inside the penalty area to double England’s advantage and stun the home crowd.

For a short time, England looked firmly in control.

Mexico, though, refused to allow the contest to slip away.

Just before halftime, Julian Quinones capitalized on a loose ball inside the England penalty area to reduce the deficit, restoring belief among the home supporters and ensuring the second half would become a severe test of England’s resilience.

That challenge became even greater shortly after the restart.

Defender Jarell Quansah received a straight red card after a VAR review judged his challenge on Jesus Gallardo to be dangerously high. Reduced to ten players with more than half an hour remaining, England suddenly faced the prospect of defending their narrow lead against an increasingly confident Mexican side.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, England continued to show remarkable determination.

Harry Kane provided an important cushion when he confidently converted a penalty to restore England’s two-goal advantage after Anthony Gordon had been fouled inside the area.

Mexico refused to surrender and quickly responded through Raul Jimenez, whose penalty brought the score back to 3-2 following another VAR intervention.

The remaining minutes became an exhausting defensive battle.

England absorbed relentless pressure from the hosts while goalkeeper Jordan Pickford produced several outstanding saves to preserve the lead. Every player contributed, throwing themselves into tackles, blocks and clearances as Mexico searched desperately for an equalizer.

When the referee finally blew for full time, the celebrations reflected not only qualification for the quarter-finals but also relief after surviving one of the toughest matches England have faced in recent World Cup history.

For Anderson, however, the evening carried an even deeper emotional meaning.

While teammates celebrated progression to the last eight, he quietly reflected on the family member who had inspired him throughout the journey. Football, he explained, has not erased his grief, but it has given him somewhere to channel his emotions and continue moving forward one match at a time.

England manager Thomas Tuchel was full of admiration for his players after the dramatic victory.

The German described the performance as one driven by determination, belief and collective spirit rather than simply technical quality. He praised the squad for overcoming every obstacle placed in front of them, including difficult playing conditions, an intimidating atmosphere and the setback of losing a player to a red card.

According to Tuchel, few teams could have demonstrated the resilience England showed throughout the second half. He described the occasion as one that would remain with him for the rest of his career, calling both the performance and the result truly heroic.

The manager also emphasized that his players displayed exceptional character under pressure, refusing to abandon their game plan despite facing adversity at almost every stage of the contest.

England’s reward is a quarter-final meeting with Norway in Miami, where Erling Haaland and his teammates await after eliminating Brazil in one of the tournament’s biggest surprises.

As preparations begin for another enormous challenge, Anderson will once again carry both national expectations and deeply personal motivation onto the pitch.

Every appearance in an England shirt now represents more than football alone. It is also a tribute to his mother’s memory—a way of honoring the person who supported his journey from the very beginning. While grief remains a constant companion, Anderson has shown remarkable strength by transforming that pain into determination, helping England move one step closer to their dream of lifting the World Cup for the first time in six decades.