The impressive co-hosts, Mexico, welcome England to the legendary Estadio Azteca for a Round of 16 tie with a quarterfinal spot on the line — and a st
The impressive co-hosts, Mexico, welcome England to the legendary Estadio Azteca for a Round of 16 tie with a quarterfinal spot on the line — and a stage steeped in World Cup history awaiting the winner.
Javier Aguirre’s Mexico arrive on the back of a perfect campaign, topping Group A without conceding a goal before dispatching Ecuador 2-0 in an incredible fashion in the last 32 to end a 40-year wait for a knockout win at the Azteca.
El Tri have kept four consecutive clean sheets and remain unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches at their fortress, part of a staggering record of just two defeats in 89 competitive games there. Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez have been electric in this tournament’s attack.
England, under Thomas Tuchel, reached this stage as Group L winners after a 4-2 win over Croatia, a goalless draw with Ghana, victory over Panama, and a 2-1 win over DR Congo sealed by a late Harry Kane brace.
Kane arrives with five goals already at the tournament, while Jude Bellingham has been England’s most influential performer, giving Tuchel’s side real control in midfield when firing.
The great unknown is the Azteca itself — sitting roughly 2,200 metres above sea level, a factor that has troubled visiting European sides for decades, most infamously when England lost (2-1) there to Argentina’s Diego Maradona in 1986.
With 87,000 fervent Mexican fans behind their team, the occasion promises to be as intense as any this tournament has produced.
Bookmakers make England the narrowest of favourites, but pundits are split — some backing Mexico’s home advantage and altitude experience to see them through, others expecting Kane or Bellingham to conjure the moment that sends England into the last eight.
The winner advances to face either Brazil or Norway in Miami on July 11.
Probable line-up
Mexico
4-3-3
Rangel (GK)
Sanches, Montes, Vasques, Gallardo (DF)
Mora, Lila, Romeo (MDF)
Quiñones, Jiménez, Alvarado (FW)
England
4-2-3-1
Pickford (GK)
Spence, Guehi, Konsa, O’Reilly (DF)
Rice, Anderson (DM)
Gordon, Bellingham, Saka (AMF)
Kane (ST)
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