Mexico supporters attempted to wake up England players with music and fireworks close to their hotel the night before the sides' last-16 World Cup tie, but were moved back by police. Footage published on social media appears to show a group of fans chanting, playing music and letting off fireworks on a street nearby England's hotel in Mexico City. Early indications from the England camp are it had minimal impact on the players. Police in riot gear have been lining the streets immediately surrounding the hotel, with anyone attempting to get close being moved away. The increased security presence comes because Ecuador – beaten 2-0 by Mexico in the World Cup last 32 – lodged a noise complaint with world governing body Fifa after fans with loudspeakers, motorbikes and horns disrupted their sleep last week.
On Saturday, the team were met with a mixture of cheers and jeers from fans as they left their hotel for training under enhanced security measures. England boss Thomas Tuchel dismissed concerns over his side's treatment in Mexico, saying it had been "nicer" than he expected and that home fans were "friendly and respectful". The World Cup co-hosts play England at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium on Sunday evening local time (01:00 BST, Monday).
“England players left unfazed by Mexico fan fireworks, as experts warn of 'national hangover' for millions.”
Back in the UK, bleary-eyed England fans have been given top tips on how to avoid paying the penalty for pulling an all-nighter watching the vital clash with Mexico. The rare event, taking all-day drinking to an unprecedented level, is the "perfect recipe for a national hangover." Experts say the World Cup knock-out battle will rank among the "top three hangover days of the year." An estimated 4.8 million exhausted workers could potentially bunk off from work or arrive late after England captain Harry Kane asked them to celebrate "as the sun's rising at 5, 6am." But bosses are being urged not to 'jump to conclusions' and discipline those who throw a sickie after England's high altitude clash, and schools have been told not to punish pupils for bad attendance.
Dr Sally Adams, an associate professor of psychology at Birmingham University and hangover expert, says the combination of sunny weather, lack of sleep and extra hours of drinking "is the perfect recipe for a national hangover." She warns: "Avoid 'hair of the dog'. Do not drink more alcohol. Your vital organs (especially your liver) need a break to recover. And stay away from expensive products that claim that they're going to cure your hangover." The secret to surviving the next 24 hours, she suggests, could be broccoli, a cooked breakfast and a "cheeky nap."