DAN BURN revealed England had not planned to park the bus against Mexico – but was delighted to play his part at last at the World Cup.
The towering defender, 34, came on for the final 15 minutes – plus 13 minutes of stoppage time – as part of a back five that saw ten-man England hold on to a famous 3-2 win.
Newcastle star Burn made a joint-high six clearances – a World Cup record for a player coming on so late in a match – as he finally made his bow in the tournament.
Asked about England’s 5-3-1 tactic following Jarell Quansah’s red card, Burn replied: “I don’t know if we quite planned for this scenario!
“I knew that I was being brought here for a certain reason.
“I probably wasn’t going to start but there was going to be opportunities in a game whether we’re trying to see a game out or maybe go for a goal that I was going to get.
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“I was desperate to get on the pitch. I didn’t want to leave the World Cup without getting on there.
“I’m very proud to play for England at a World Cup. I never, ever thought I would be saying that when I first started.”
Famously, Burn began his career at non-league Darlington and had to climb up the leagues before hitting the big-time with his boyhood side Newcastle.
His most memorable moment was scoring in the 2025 League Cup final, helping Toon beat Liverpool and end their decades-long trophy drought.
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The knockout stages of the World Cup are hotting up as we head towards the business end of the tournament.
England believe football might finally be coming home after 60 years of hurt, with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham on fire.
But the likes of France, Spain and Argentina are all serious contenders to go all the way.
Heavyweights Germany, Netherlands and Brazil have all been knocked out.
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But playing in front of a packed Azteca Stadium, where the noise was absolutely deafening, has instantly become a career highlight.
Burn said: “I don’t think I’ll ever forget that night.
“The atmosphere was crazy. The national anthem of Mexico, I think I was nearly deaf by the end of it.
“It was an amazing thing. I think it was a game which should be in this stadium, it was exciting.
“I think everyone back home watching it at 2 o’clock in the morning or whatever it was will be very, very proud of the performance we put in.”
England now face Norway in the quarter-finals in Miami on Saturday.
Defender Burn added: “There’s no surprise Norway are at this stage of the competition.
“I think from the qualifiers, they won every game, they have (Erling) Haaland who is one of the best strikers in the world, so it is going to be a huge challenge for us, but I just want to enjoy this one.
“Once you get into the last eight, it’s very cliche, but anyone can win it.
