England reserve Jordan Henderson was stretchered off the pitch late Sunday night after hurting himself in a freak post-game accident that followed his team’s dramatic victory over host Mexico.
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Players in Estadio Azteca in Mexico City were soaking in wild cheers from England supporters, enraptured by their team’s 3-2, round-of-16 triumph.
The team had gathered to sing their unofficial anthem of this tournament, the Oasis classic “Wonderwall.” England captain Harry Kane went over a temporary wall, which appeared roughly 4 feet high, set up for advertising.
A second later, Henderson put both hands on the barrier to hoist himself up and over. But Henderson appeared to lose his grip, causing him to fall awkwardly.
Kane immediately saw that his teammate was in pain and motioned for first responders to rush on to the pitch.
“Hendo just fell over there and I think he’s OK, something to do with his arm,” Kane told BBC moments after the freak crash.
The Brentford midfielder Henderson was taken off the pitch on a stretcher, apparently ending a World Cup run in which he played sparingly but still managed to put himself center stage.
Despite not playing in the Mexico match, he was booked for a yellow card in the 98th minute. Henderson, wearing his warmup vest, appeared to insert himself into a touchline clash between teammate Jude Bellingham and Mexico’s Johan Vasquez.
Henderson subbed into a group-stage match against Panama, making him England’s first player to have appeared in four World Cup tournaments.
