LOS ANGELES — England face Mexico in a World Cup blockbuster at the Estadio Azteca today while Erling Haaland and Norway bid to ambush Brazil as the battle for quarter-final places heats up.
A day after France and Morocco sealed their places in the last eight of the tournament, two more spots are up for grabs in round-of-16 duels in Mexico City and New Jersey.
England’s encounter with Mexico has been one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament, with the Three Lions returning to the Azteca 40 years after their iconic ‘Hand of God’ game against Argentina at the 1986 World Cup.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have stumbled into the last 16, needing a late double from captain Harry Kane to secure a 2-1 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo to advance to Sunday’s game.
England entered the World Cup with dreams of ending the country’s 60-year wait for a major title.
But the English have failed to live up to their billing so far, struggling through the group phase before squeezing past DR Congo.
England will also need to overcome the challenge of altitude, with the Azteca sitting some 2,240 metres (7,350 feet) above sea level.
“The altitude will be, of course, a big disadvantage because we cannot physically adapt to it in four days. It’s just impossible,” England boss Tuchel said before the team’s departure for Mexico City.
After visiting the Azteca on Saturday, Tuchel said at his pre-match press conference: “It just catches you straight away once you get in here and see the excitement and see the emotions.
“I felt straight away that this will be a proper World Cup match for tomorrow.
“We knew it before. We are in an iconic place, an iconic stadium,” Tuchel added.
Tuchel is also grappling with the issue of how to shore up England’s porous defence, which has looked vulnerable to pace, especially down the problematic right flank.
Mexico, by contrast, are flying. El Tri have won all four games on home soil, without conceding a goal.
A 2-0 victory over Ecuador secured their first knockout win at the World Cup for 40 years and more history beckons if England can be eliminated in front of an expectant home crowd.
