The atmospheric pressure at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium will be 23% lower than at sea level, meaning “roughly 23% fewer oxygen molecules per breath”, according to Professor Mike Tipton of the Extreme Environments Laboratory at Portsmouth University. The effect is brutal: aerobic performance drops by 10%, while recovery time and fatigue levels increase by 15%. Heart and breathing rates spike to compensate, complex cognitive performance declines, and the body relies more on anaerobic energy, which is “much more time limited”. As Tipton warns, “this all requires changes in game strategy and behaviour, including more substitutions and a slower-paced game.”
England must confront these conditions in Monday's World Cup last-16 tie – and they must also deal with Julian Quinones. The 29-year-old left winger has already scored three times in this tournament: the opener against South Africa, a goal against the Czechs, and another in the last-32 win over Ecuador. Last season's Saudi Pro League golden boot winner, Quinones was born in the remote Colombian village of Magui Payan, near the Ecuadorian border, and grew up in poverty. “It's a very far away, forgotten village,” he said. “Knowing I could overcome everything, even with all the difficulties and the lack of support, motivates me even more.”
“England face 23% lower oxygen at Azteca and Colombian-born star Quinones, who has three World Cup goals.”
At 17 he left amateur side Futbol Paz to join Mexican club Tigres. “I was young and I hesitated when thinking about leaving my country,” he recalled. He spent eight years in Mexico, winning six league titles with Tigres, Atlas and Club America. Colombia called him for youth duty in 2017 and 2018, but never again – so when he became eligible for Mexico through naturalisation in 2023, he joined them. “I found a very generous country,” he said. “Mexico made me a great person.” He now has a Mexican wife and children.
Mexico's home record is daunting: they have won 70 of 89 competitive matches at the Azteca, losing just two. They have not conceded a goal in this World Cup. Quinones, playing on the left, could exploit England's “highly debated right-back position”, as the BBC notes. The “thinner atmosphere” also means the ball travels further, so those unused to it may over-hit passes – but can shoot from longer range. Air temperature is cooler, yet dehydration remains a risk. England's players face a battle for oxygen – and for a quarter-final place.