The car horns and fireworks that kept Ecuador awake before their last-32 tie could be just the start of the disruption awaiting England at the Estadio Azteca. Alan Shearer, the former England captain, said he would not be surprised if the team faced an alarm going off at their hotel on the eve of the match. 'That's nothing new — it sometimes happens when you stay anywhere before a Premier League match as well,' he told BBC Sport. 'It's annoying but you have to accept it and get on with it.'
England arrived at their hotel in Mexico City on Friday to a noisy reception, and the crowd at the Azteca is expected to be as much as 80% Mexican fans — a stark contrast to the World Cup so far. In Atlanta, around 75% of the crowd supported England against DR Congo. 'It's going to be tough, because of the altitude and the atmosphere and everything else,' Shearer said. 'But instead of having any fear about the different tests they face, they will just be thinking 'bring it on'. I know I would be.'
“Alan Shearer says England will embrace the challenge at the Azteca despite altitude, noise, and fan disparity.”
Shearer, who will co-commentate with Guy Mowbray, described the match as 'an amazing spectacle as well as a unique test'. This is the first time England have been back at the Azteca since losing the epic 1986 World Cup quarter-final to Argentina. 'I've wanted to go to the Azteca since I watched the 1986 World Cup on TV as a teenager,' he said. 'These are the kind of games and moments you train and work so hard for all your life.'
The confusion over the kick-off time added to the noise around the match. Shearer called it 'a silly idea because of the way it would have impacted the thousands of fans flying in from all over the world to watch it.' The Standard called the clash 'a major hurdle' for the Three Lions as they aim to conquer the iconic high-altitude fortress. But Shearer is confident. 'If they play the game rather than the occasion then I think they will win,' he said. 'I bet the players are excited too.'