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England winger Anthony Gordon has spoken out about the viral exchange he had with Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre, saying he "quite liked" being on the receiving end of the El Tri boss's colorful language.
Amid the chaos of England's 3–2 win over Mexico in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, Aguirre cursing at Gordon before both men erupted in laughter has arguably become the most replayed moment of the match, rivaling Jude Bellingham's brace, Mexico's late comeback push, and England's players belting out "Wonderwall."
The new Barcelona winger was strolling near the touchline in front of Mexico's bench shortly after the first-half water break. Aguirre seized the moment to approach him and apparently yell: "Gordon, F--- ---!" The seasoned manager immediately broke into a wide grin, and Gordon laughed along — a brief, lighthearted moment in an otherwise fiercely contested match.
"I remembered it — it was just a bit of fun," Gordon said of Aguirre's outburst, speaking to BBC. "With all the heat and tension surrounding the game, it was a welcome bit of fun. I'd just beaten the fullback down the line, so it felt like a compliment from him. That's how I chose to take it, anyway."
"He [Aguirre] seemed like a decent bloke — he was chatting to me and Jude [Bellingham] throughout the match," Gordon added. "Given how tense the game was, to have him talking to me and Jude like that, I quite liked it."
The Foul-Mouthed Ways of Javier Aguirre
This is far from the first time — and almost certainly won't be the last — that Aguirre has directed colorful language at players or used playful banter to ease the tension on the touchline.
During Mexico's earlier World Cup clash against South Korea, Aguirre was spotted exchanging words with Lee Kang-in before both men shared a laugh — much like what unfolded with Gordon. Aguirre had previously managed Lee during his stint at Mallorca, and he revealed what he actually said to him after the match.
"I told him not to come near me or I'd kick him in the a--," Aguirre admitted. "That's exactly what I said. And that his hair looked terrible — it's awful. He dyed some streaks that look horrible, dreadful highlights. That's what I told him."
Aguirre's World Cup press conferences were peppered with profanity, as he regularly threw good-natured jabs at journalists — even poking fun at what they were wearing.
There are lengthy compilations of Aguirre swearing at players and opponents throughout his managerial career in Spain. Perhaps none more iconic than when he greeted his squad after a win with: "Excellent work, you sons of b-----" — a phrase that was later immortalized on a banner by Mallorca supporters when Aguirre guided the club to safety from relegation.
England Want Wembley Friendly vs. Mexico
The viral moment between Aguirre and Gordon in many ways mirrored what played out between the two sets of supporters away from the pitch. Both fanbases celebrated together on the eve of the match, mingled in the hours before kick-off, then Mexican fans transformed the Estadio Azteca into a cauldron of noise during the 112-minute contest, before warmly embracing England as the victors once the final whistle blew.
It was an instant World Cup classic on the field, but the remarkable scenes between the two fanbases off it were equally memorable and added to the electric atmosphere inside the stadium. Several England supporters have since taken to social media to share their experiences in Mexico, with posts flooded by Mexican fans wishing the Three Lions well for the remainder of the tournament.
According to The Times, the overwhelmingly positive experience has prompted the England Football Association (FA) to explore a window in the calendar to stage a friendly at Wembley Stadium, where England would host El Tri.
Thomas Tuchel and several England players also spoke glowingly about how special it was to play — and win — at a venue as storied and iconic as the Azteca.