Javier Aguirre backs Rafa Marquez to lead Mexico into new era after bidding farewell

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/aguirre-javier/2gjul1lr/"]Aguirre[/a], who had already made clear he ‌would leave his role after the tournament, said former [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/mexico/O6iHcNkd/"]Mexico[/a] ‌captain Marquez was ready to continue the work done with a ‌squad that restored belief during the country's deepest World Cup ‌run in 40 years.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/england/j9N9ZNFA/"]England[/a] booked their place in the quarter-finals after surviving a late Mexico push at the Azteca Stadium, where the home side ‌fell short despite a spirited fightback.[/p][p][b]"I would ⁠have liked to say goodbye ‌to my people with a victory. That hurts,"[/b] Aguirre told reporters. "We tried."[/p][embed guid="23268a3f-9815-47bf-9c98-cdeddcfe18fd" url="https://x.com/NextMexOficial/status/2073983616393118033" social-type="twitter" /][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/bellingham-jude/QNvlPm7s/"]Jude ​Bellingham[/a]'s quickfire double put England in control before [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/quinones-julian/dQkfXJPR/"]Julian Quinones[/a] pulled one back for Mexico. [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kane-harry/v5HSlEAa/"]Harry Kane[/a] added ​a second-half penalty after England had been reduced to 10 men, and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/jimenez-raul/ENwqg0Pd/"]Raul Jimenez[/a]'s late spot-kick was not enough to prevent ⁠Mexico's exit.[/p][p][b]"The players need ​to leave with their heads held high," [/b]Aguirre said. [b]"Today it could not be. We failed to capitalise, but I want to thank them all."[/b][/p][image alt="Match momentum" id="98a39a7e-7929-472a-81c6-0a7f219de9fd" credit-line="StatsPerform via Opta" guid="2473ebdc-5c3f-4c6f-8c79-c05293462c2d" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p]The match, delayed by one hour because of adverse ‌weather around the Azteca, was played in front of a passionate home crowd that Aguirre has often described as Mexico's "12th player".[/p][p]The fans roared Mexico on in the closing stages, chanting "yes we can" as the co-hosts pushed for an equaliser, but England held firm to advance to a quarter-final against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/norway/8rP6JO0H/"]Norway[/a] in Miami on Saturday.[/p][p]Aguirre said he was leaving with pride despite the pain of elimination, pointing to the unity of the squad and ‌the renewed connection with supporters.[/p][p][b]"I leave with a lot of pride,"[/b] ​he said. [b]"These players made me very happy. We recovered ‌the sense of belonging and the identity of this team."[/b][/p][p]Marquez, who captained Mexico at five World Cups and worked alongside Aguirre during the tournament, is expected to take the project forward after the veteran coach's departure.[/p][p][b]"I wish him the ⁠best," [/b]Aguirre said. [b]"He is more ⁠than capable, and he ‌will do better than me."[/b][/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/england-j9N9ZNFA/mexico-O6iHcNkd/?mid=bc27lzfo"]Check out the Mexico vs England match stats[/a][/b].[/p]