The chaos that has enveloped Mexico since Tuesday night is palpable, following their victory over Ecuador which set the stage for a World Cup Round of 16 matchup against England this Sunday. With forecasts predicting an incoming storm that could lead to flooding, the stakes are heightened for a game that is being hailed as one of the most significant in Mexican football history.
Initially, FIFA was informed that the kick-off would need to be moved from 6 PM local time (1 AM Monday BST) to midday, leading to a flurry of discussions among various parties. Ultimately, the decision was made to keep the match at its original time of 6 PM, resulting in a considerable amount of effort for no change.
The jubilant celebration in Mexico City after the Ecuador match remains vivid, as streets around El Ángel de la Independencia were packed with fans. Reports suggest that up to a million supporters were present, generating an atmosphere filled with excitement and anticipation, which is poised to be replicated once more.
England’s Recent Performance
England’s own experience of chaos resonates, particularly following their last-32 win against the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Wednesday. Thomas Tuchel sensed the turmoil from the outset, especially during what can now be referred to as the first quarter of the match. Beforehand, he noted, “It can be a game of patience and we must not freak out,”
Yet, England struggled with composure. A turbulent stretch saw them trailing 1-0 when a hydration break was called, prompting injured substitute Reece James to encourage teammate Jude Bellingham to steady himself.
Fueled by adrenaline, England surged forward, creating several scoring opportunities, culminating in two late goals from Harry Kane that secured a 2-1 victory. Nonetheless, concerns linger about their erratic performance, especially with the daunting atmosphere of the Azteca Stadium, notorious for its history and altitude, where a slow start could prove disastrous.
Facing the Mexican Whirlwind
As Mexico gears up for an explosive start, England must brace for their opponent’s intensity in the opening 20 minutes. The altitude of the Azteca Stadium, situated 2,240 meters above sea level, will challenge players unfamiliar with such conditions. Mexico striker Raúl Jiménez remarked, “The first 20 minutes … the other players will be needing some breath, some air,”
Tuchel is aware of the impending challenge, emphasizing the need for composure and teamwork to ensure their energy is effectively utilized. “That’s when we can make the difference.” he explained. “We are fully aware that it took us basically a whole quarter [against the DRC] to adapt in our press,”
England’s jitteriness has also manifested in their attacking play. Statistics reveal that, until the conclusion of the last 32, no team had squandered more significant scoring opportunities than England, who recorded 15 missed chances, six occurring in the match against the DRC.
Tuchel’s Vision for England
“We are fully committed to the effort that we put in but it’s not economical. We don’t choose the moments great. And we go too early, when we’re not set. “We are impatient. And it has knock-on effects: the first one goes too early, the second one joins, no one says: ‘No, no, we don’t go.’ The third one just goes and wants to repair it and this leaves us disjointed, with too big distances. So we know, and we worked on it, that we need to pick our moments better; where to press, when to press. Then we need to be more in sync, we need to be more compact.” Tuchel analyzed. “We’re too fast in our attacks,”
With England having recently completed their seventh flight in 12 days, they are set to play their fourth match in just over a week. Tuchel is adamant about continuing to pursue his vision for the team. “It’s almost like every attack plays out like a fast attack. We need to understand that sometimes the door is closed, it doesn’t help if you rush into it. Try the other door. Find another way. And worship the ball possession. Also to recharge. Otherwise we just run our batteries down with a huge effort and not so much reward. Talking about the first 15-20 minutes, we also expect that it feels very, very hard. What other teams tell us who went in there late, without acclimatisation, is that the first 15-20 minutes are where you basically hit a wall. But when you go through it, it gets better. That’s exactly why Mexico starts their games like this. They just want to suffocate you.” he declared. “more afraid to drop out than have the excitement and hunger to win”
Tuchel is keen to highlight that the team’s success is not solely dependent on Harry Kane. “It’s because we’re a bit rushed in everything we do,”
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