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The former England captain knows all too well the pain of being dismissed during a critical World Cup knockout match.

Wayne Rooney has personal experience of what it feels like to be sent off in such a high-stakes encounter — and he expressed deep sympathy for Jarell Quansah.

The England centre-back was shown a straight red card for a high tackle on Mexico’s Jesus Gallardo, at a moment when Thomas Tuchel’s side were leading 2-1 in a charged atmosphere at the Estadio Azteca.

Despite the setback, England held their nerve to claim a gripping 3-2 victory, while Quansah was forced to watch from the dressing room as his teammates battled to preserve the lead.

Rooney knows exactly how that feels, having endured a similar experience himself while watching on from the sidelines after being sent off in a World Cup match.

Back in 2006, during England’s goalless World Cup quarter-final encounter with Portugal, the then-Manchester United striker was shown a red card at almost the same stage of the game. The Three Lions eventually bowed out on penalties.

Rooney’s infamous dismissal came after stamping on Ricardo Carvalho, an incident that drew attention when his United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo was seen winking moments later, seemingly after successfully provoking him.

Reflecting on Quansah’s red card, Rooney said: “I’ve been in the situation he’s been in, and it’s not an easy situation for him.”

He added: “It is a red card — it’s reckless and it’s high, so it is, it’s a red card. But I feel for him, because knowing what he was going through in that dressing room while the game’s still going on... it’s such a horrible feeling.

“Unluckily for me, we went out, but hopefully he’s got another chance in this World Cup — but yeah, it’s not a nice feeling.

“Thankfully, his teammates have helped him get through that difficult moment.”

Despite being reduced to ten men, England managed to see the game through successfully. Harry Kane converted from the penalty spot shortly after the red card, adding to Jude Bellingham’s first-half brace.

Raul Jimenez pulled one back for Mexico nine minutes later after Kane committed a foul inside the England box, with the penalty awarded following a VAR review. However, the hosts could not find the equaliser.

England will now face Norway in the quarter-finals on Saturday.