After England advanced to the FIFA World Cup Round of 16, England defender Guehi was interviewed by British media.

Marc, have you been involved in games like Wednesday night's before?

I'm thinking of the last Euros, as well as many Premier League games where things might not have gone so well, and you had to find a way to keep going, grit your teeth, and try to get a result. I think in those moments, as I've said in previous interviews, it helps to rely on experience and teammates to stay calm.

Even in that high-pressure environment, knowing that the whole of England is watching you, can you really stay calm? Even in the 75th minute, with England on the verge of being knocked out of the FIFA World Cup, were you still that composed?

Yes, because honestly, I've been in worse situations. In those games, you really feel the pressure. But in that match, because we created so many chances, it almost felt as though it was only a matter of when we would score, not if. I think that's the belief everyone in our team has.

I imagine that thought is easier when you have someone called Kane in the team. You’ve played with him and against him; where do you rank him among the top strikers?

Definitely one of the very best. His stats speak for themselves. Throughout his career, his professionalism has been something I have been able to observe up close every day. He is someone who leaves no stone unturned and is meticulous in his work. Every time he steps onto the pitch, he demonstrates that precision.

When that goal went in, the emotion was very special, as all the substitutes and everyone else rushed onto the pitch to celebrate. What does that tell us about this team? Because that was a major message conveyed by all the players interviewed after the game: that we are very united, and you proved that tonight.

Yes, I think that is very clear to everyone. There is no individualism here. Although only 11 players start on the field, everyone is equally important, and everyone brings something different. You saw Anthony Gordon, who came on as a substitute, assist Kane. Everyone is important, and we truly have that unity.

What were you thinking in those moments? You kept your cool, I understand that, but even so, you must have had moments of emotional outburst, right?

I was actually telling everyone to calm down. Everyone was celebrating, and I was telling them to stay calm. In fact, I was the only one who didn’t go over to celebrate. I was just trying to make sure we could see out the game smoothly.

But in that moment, with a goal and a result of such significance, when you see all your teammates celebrating wildly, how can you remain calm? You almost detach yourself from that emotion.

Honestly, it was easy because I felt someone had to do it. Don’t get me wrong, I would be the first person who would want to go and celebrate with everyone. But I felt that, in that moment, it was very important to make sure we held on and advanced to the next round.

You also joined in the chorus of "Wonderwall," didn't you?

Yes, we all participated. It felt great and very special.

The scene certainly looked very special, especially last night. What was it like to look back on that moment from a player's perspective?

I've spoken to others about this, and I think it's truly a humbling experience. It's a scenario you can only dream of: standing in front of all the England fans after a knockout game, with everyone singing "Wonderwall" together and everyone united. It was truly a beautiful moment.

Did you see that clip? Kane asked Eze, "Do you know this song?" He replied, "Yes, you know 'Wonderwall'; everyone knows 'Wonderwall,' right?"

Not everyone may know the lyrics, but everyone certainly knows the song. I imagine that by the end of this tournament, everyone will have learned it.

And the celebrations in the locker room: Kane said he told all of you to enjoy being here and to savor the moments in the locker room. What were those moments like?

The captain conveyed a very important message: you never know when these moments will come again in life, and you have to enjoy them to the fullest. It is a beautiful moment for us, the staff, and the whole country.

Was that post-game huddle spontaneous?

Yes, it wasn’t planned at all; it was simply how he genuinely felt in that moment, and we all supported him.

It looked very powerful. Of course, we are now in the Round of 16 against Mexico, but there have always been questions about the defense. Do you understand why these questions exist?

I don’t know; people always talk. I think it’s good that people talk because it means they’re watching the game and paying attention. So, that’s good.

How did those first 20 minutes feel to play in? As part of the defense, it looked quite challenging. We know the defense has been adjusted a lot, with no two starting back fours being the same. How did you feel as part of the defense?

It's interesting; as you said, it's always a challenge. But one thing I know is that we trust each other a great deal. Even if some adjustments were needed in those first 20 minutes, once we adapted, everything was fine afterward. So, I think it is very important to adapt quickly and establish a solid foundation in the upcoming games.

Who is responsible for adjustments and communication in the back four?

Everyone is talking. If you observe during stoppages, everyone is constantly communicating and trying to solve problems, so it is truly a team effort.

Was yesterday's hydration break especially helpful for England?

Yes, it's always good to regroup in moments like that, especially when you're 1-0 down. Regaining focus is crucial, and, as Harry said, it was a very important moment for us.

Right-back has been a tricky position because of injuries. Is Rice the solution?

Rice can play anywhere you want him to play. Actually, I think Quansah played very well. Of course, Reece James is injured now, and hopefully he'll be back soon. But anyone who has been given the responsibility has performed well.

Before this tournament, everyone was saying that the starting center-backs for the first game would be Guehi and someone else. So when you did not start against Croatia, it may have come as a surprise to the outside world. Were you surprised?

No, I'm not surprised by anything now. I always say the most important thing is for the team to perform well. Whether I play for 1 minute or the whole game, if we can achieve something special, that's what matters most.

Did that make you even more determined when you were given the opportunity to start against Ghana?

Not more determined, because I have always been determined, and that will not change. It simply made me understand the current situation: that whenever I am called upon, I have to do my best for myself and my teammates.

You almost scored against Ghana, do you remember? That header was cleared off the line.

Yes, to be honest, that ball was a bit floaty.

Putting the defense aside, let’s talk about Mexico. This represents a huge step up in terms of atmosphere, altitude, and opponent quality. It feels as though everyone is talking about everything except how strong Mexico are. From England’s perspective, just how strong are they?

They have not conceded a goal yet and have been playing very well. They are solid defensively and fluid offensively, so it will be a very tough match. They are a good team.

Speaking of the altitude, we’ve heard that England have gone to great lengths to prepare. How did you prepare?

We trained at altitude last year. I think we went to Spain to carry out some related tests in case these kinds of games came up. Now the game is really here. I have to commend the FA and everyone working behind the scenes for helping us deal with moments like this. Hopefully, it will pay off.

How tough was the training?

I wasn’t actually at that training camp.

So, you haven't done it before?

But we conducted some tests here too. Everyone has prepared in different ways. It is tough, but definitely beneficial.

The coach said this is a clear advantage for Mexico. Will England change their style of play because of this?

I do not think so. We need to be cautious, and there may be some adjustments and fine-tuning. I think Mexico are the favourites because they have performed well in this tournament and are playing at home in the Azteca Stadium. They have the support of their fans, which is a huge challenge for us, but we are ready.

Mexico have lost only two games there in 57 years. Whether because of the altitude, the fans, or the quality of the Mexican team, how big a challenge is this for England?

I think it is as challenging as any other game we have faced in this tournament. Our group stage was tough, and we performed well. The game against DR Congo was also difficult.

The coach also told us that once opponents stop defending as deeply as before, we will see a better England team. Is this an opportunity to show that side?

We’ll see. I don’t know what Mexico will bring on the day, but whatever they do, we will find a way to adapt and try to show the best of England.

Playing at the Azteca Stadium is very special for players, isn't it?

Indeed. I have heard that all the great legends have played there, including Pelé and Maradona. It is truly one of football’s greatest stadiums. So, for us, having the opportunity to play there is a real honor.

I feel like you are the kind of person who tries to live in the moment. I heard you say in the press conference that participating in the FIFA World Cup is very special. Can you enjoy the occasion?

Yes. It’s a business trip, but when you’re on the field and experiencing everything, such as when the national anthem plays, it’s important to try to live in the moment and enjoy it as much as possible.

Finally, you’ve won many trophies over the past year or two of your career, but I guess the one you want most is just a few weeks away.

What I want most is the next game. We need to take the next step, and the next game is always the most important. You can't think too far ahead; that's not good for anyone.

Marc, tell me you’re enjoying some of these moments instead of always thinking about the next game.

Yes, these moments are special. I’ll try to enjoy them.

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