The challenge of making history is spurring on England’s players, said coach Paul Simpson after witnessing his side reach an U20 World Cup semi-final for the first time since 1993.
Dominic Solanke’s second-half strike was enough to see off Mexico in Cheonan, despite having to play the final 18 minutes a man light after a contentious red card for Josh Onomah.
Italy, who beat Zambia after extra time earlier in the day, form the next hurdle for England to clear if they are to reach first-ever appearance in the final of the tournament.
Simpson said: “It’s always difficult going to a new country. But we’ve acclimatised and all the players have realised we have a real opportunity to go and make history.
“They’ve really grasped that and are putting in performances that we knew they were capable of and we’re delighted with.
“We have an incredible group of staff and players who have gone a long way to changing the perceptions of English football and hopefully we can continue with two more results.
“To be successful you have to get stronger with each game, and we have.”
England have been excellent for the most part in Korea, but had to dig deep at times against Mexico.
They stuck to their task though, made much harder when Onomah was sent off – a decision that perplexed Simpson.
He added: “It was an incredible decision to send Josh Onomah off. I have no idea what the referee saw.
“We now have a player suspended for a World Cup semi-final game for a decision that is absolutely ridiculous.
“It was a really tough game against an excellent Mexico side and I’m absolutely delighted to get through.
“We defended for our lives when we had to. We created some really good chances in the attacking phases, but we just didn’t quite have the finish. Unfortunately at the end we had to dig in, with backs against the wall.
“Sometimes in big games, and this was a huge game, there is a little bit of nervousness, so I think we just had to get through the first half to be able to play the second.
“Sometimes you just have to get a foothold in the game and we came out and started the second half really well. We were pressing, closing down, we turned them round and got people running in behind through some really good football.
“The big difference was we came out with a little bit more belief and cast away those nerves that were a little bit evident in the first half and I thought it was a good performance.”
