England winger Anthony Gordon shared a lighthearted moment with Mexico manager Javier Aguirre during a recent match, which saw the veteran coach jokingly exclaim "F*** you!" at the young English player.
The exchange took place shortly after the game's first hydration break. Aguirre, 67, called out to Gordon, who was near the Mexican technical area. Upon getting the 25-year-old's attention, Aguirre delivered the expletive with a comical expression, to which Gordon responded with a smile.
Despite the unusual interaction, the incident did not seem to faze Gordon. He went on to have a strong performance in England's 3-2 win, playing a key role in securing the victory. He earned the penalty that captain Harry Kane converted, extending England's lead, and was a consistent threat throughout the match, also contributing defensively.
Aguirre has since stepped down as Mexico's manager after the team's exit from the World Cup in the last 16, a stage where they have been eliminated in eight of the last nine tournaments. Reflecting on the team's performance, Aguirre expressed pride in the players and their regained sense of identity, despite the disappointing outcome.