England will step into the cauldron of the Estadio Azteca tomorrow morning knowing that their World Cup hopes could hinge on a penalty shootout – a discipline they have mastered only once in their history. Thomas Tuchel has made three changes to the side that beat DR Congo, with Jarell Quansah filling in at right-back after Djed Spence joined Reece James as an injury doubt, while Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka replace Marcus Rashford and Noni Madueke, according to BBC Sport.
The last-16 tie against Mexico at the notorious high-altitude fortress in Mexico City presents arguably England's toughest test yet. Tuchel has predicted that to win the tournament, his side will likely need to prevail in two shootouts – a daunting prospect given England have won only one World Cup penalty shootout in their history, that breakthrough victory over Colombia in 2018 under Gareth Southgate. “I have – on the highest level, since years and years – a penalty programme that is so easy,” Tuchel said. “We trained it. We have a process in place. So we are prepared. This has become such an important part, a very special part of football now.”
“England face Mexico at the Azteca with three changes and penalty fears after Thomas Tuchel's prediction.”
Should the game go to spot-kicks, captain Harry Kane will take first. The Bayern Munich striker has scored 19 penalties this season for club and country, including his retaken spot-kick against Croatia in the group stage, and remarkably has never missed in a shootout – five out of five.
But much of England's hope rests on Jude Bellingham, the 23-year-old midfielder who Richie Kyle, his former England youth coach, remembers as a “man beyond his years” at 16. “Jude is one of the most unique players I have ever come across,” said Kyle, now assistant head coach at Bolton Wanderers. “It was like speaking to a 28-year-old sometimes. Even when we were doing reviews after games, he would stand up and tell the group what we should have done and how we can improve.” Bellingham, who has two goals and an assist in the tournament so far, moved to Real Madrid for €103m in 2023 and has already won the Champions League and La Liga.
England will need that composure in a hostile environment. The Azteca has been a graveyard for many visiting sides, and with storms threatening delays, the Three Lions must overcome both the altitude and the occasion. Tuchel's side are aiming for what would be their most impressive World Cup win of the century – and perhaps the one that finally exorcises their penalty demons.