Elliot Anderson opens up on mother’s death after England’s Mexico win

Elliot Anderson has spoken movingly about the death of his mother, revealing that football has become his “escape” during one of the most difficult periods of his life. The Nottingham Forest and England midfielder lost his mum, Helen, following a long illness earlier this year, just days before his club’s Europa League tie against FC Porto in April.

Anderson, 23, missed that fixture on compassionate leave but returned to action for Forest only days later in the Premier League, laying a wreath on the pitch at the City Ground in his mother’s memory. Now, more than three months on, he has opened up on her death in the wake of England’s dramatic 3-2 win over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, a result that sent Thomas Tuchel’s side into the World Cup quarter-finals.

Football as an “escape”

Speaking to The Athletic after the emotional victory in Mexico City, Anderson admitted the past few months have taken a heavy toll off the pitch, even as he continues to perform on it.

“It is (emotional). There’s a lot of stuff going on and my escape is just getting on the pitch. It frees my mind. Hopefully we can keep going,” Anderson said.

He added that his mother would have been watching on with pride from among the travelling England supporters. “Definitely (Helen would have been proud). She would have been here singing with my family and singing along with the songs at the end. But yeah, I’m proud,” he said.

A remarkable night in Mexico City

Anderson’s comments came after England overcame a fierce atmosphere at the famous Azteca Stadium to see off Mexico 3-2 in a chaotic last-16 tie that featured two penalties, a red card and a header double from Jude Bellingham either side of a decisive Harry Kane winner. The result has been widely hailed as one of England’s greatest results on foreign soil in the modern era.

For Anderson personally, reaching the quarter-finals with his country represents a significant moment in a difficult year, one in which he has had to balance grief with the demands of top-level football for both club and country.

Read more: Where does England’s stunning Mexico win rank among their greatest away results?

Support at Forest and beyond

Anderson’s tribute at the City Ground in April, laying a wreath on the pitch shortly after his mother’s death, was a poignant moment for Forest supporters and team-mates alike. His willingness to return to action so soon afterwards drew widespread admiration from within the game.

Now, with England through to the World Cup quarter-finals, Anderson’s honesty about his grief has added further weight to a tournament already defined by remarkable scenes on and off the pitch for Tuchel’s squad.