England will attempt to book a place in the World Cup quarter-finals at the Azteca Stadium on Monday morning – a ground where Mexico have lost just twice in 89 matches. The knockout clash, which comes after the Three Lions advanced through the group stage, will be played at an altitude of 2,240m, pushing Thomas Tuchel’s squad to the ultimate physical limit.
Victory would set up a quarter-final against the winner of Brazil’s battle with Norway, which takes place on Sunday evening. But first, England must overcome a hostile environment and a Mexico side that BBC Sport pundits Thomas Hitzlsperger, Joe Hart and Micah Richards believe could bring out the best of Tuchel’s team.
“England face Mexico at altitude in World Cup knockout stage; pundits split but many back Tuchel's side to advance.”
Former Crystal Palace forward Clinton Morrison acknowledged the severity of the test. “That’s different. They haven’t lost there, have they?” he said, referring to Mexico’s home record. “They’ve got the home fans and the altitude, and England are going to struggle with that. It’ll be difficult conditions, and Mexico are a good team — I watched them blow Ecuador away. England will have to raise their game, because Mexico have players who can cause them a lot of problems. I still think England can go there and beat them — without a shadow of a doubt — but it’ll be their hardest test so far.”
Roy Keane was similarly confident that England will prevail, but warned of trouble ahead. “I think they beat Mexico on Monday, but if they get through to the likes of Brazil and Argentina, that’s when the trouble will really start,” the former Manchester United captain declared on ITV. “If they play as they have done, it’s against those teams where they’ll come unstuck. I don’t think England have got too much more to go, which is why I’m saying they’ll get to the quarters. A couple of world-class individuals have kicked in, but they can only get you so far as well. I don’t think England have many more gears.”
Alan Shearer has told Tuchel that several changes may be needed to counter Mexico’s attacking stars, but the Newcastle icon expects England to secure a place in the last eight. The winner of Monday’s clash will face the victor of Brazil’s tie with Norway, with Argentina also looming as a potential opponent should England advance.