Minutes after England survived a World Cup scare against DR Congo to squeeze into the spherical of 16, the main focus shifted to what’s subsequent for the Three Lions.
But it surely was not the specter of the in-form Mexico group that made essentially the most noise, however the problem of taking part in on the Azteca Stadium, the long-lasting soccer venue that may take your breath away, fairly actually.
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The Mexico vs England match on Sunday night in Mexico Metropolis is essentially the most talked-about fixture of this knockout spherical, with the dialogue starting from the change in kickoff time to the excessive altitude posing an enormous problem and the danger of opposed climate.
Al Jazeera breaks down the potential influence of these issues on England’s probabilities of reaching the quarterfinals:
What time is England vs Mexico?
The match will kick off at 6pm on Sunday in Mexico Metropolis, which is 1am on Monday in London (00:00 GMT).
Why did FIFA contemplate altering the England vs Mexico kickoff time?
On Friday, media experiences in the UK and Mexico stated governing physique FIFA was planning to maneuver the kickoff on the Azteca Stadium from 6pm native time to noon because of issues over forecast storms and flooding in Mexico Metropolis on Sunday.
However FIFA determined to stick with the scheduled time, as bringing the Mexico vs England sport ahead would have additionally meant delaying Brazil vs Norway on the identical day in New York/New Jersey.
Why is Mexico Metropolis one of many hardest World Cup venues?
The 80,000-odd capability Azteca Stadium, the biggest in Latin America, is a fortress-like residence of cohosts Mexico, who’ve misplaced simply two of their 89 aggressive video games there.
In line with stats provider Opta, Mexico are unbeaten of their final 22 aggressive matches there (W16 D6), however the common FIFA Rating of these opponents is simply 57.
The venue of the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals, the Azteca Stadium holds explicit historic significance for England, who’re taking part in there for the primary time since a controversial 2-1 quarterfinal defeat by Argentina on the 1986 World Cup, well-known for Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” aim.
Is Mexico Metropolis at a excessive altitude?
The pitch in Mexico Metropolis sits 2,240 metres (7,350 ft) above sea degree. At that altitude, the air is thinner, that means every breath delivers much less oxygen to the physique, and the ball travels sooner and farther.
In contrast, the Atlanta Stadium, the place England beat DR Congo 2-1 on Wednesday, is simply over 300 metres (984 ft) above sea degree.
What has Thomas Tuchel stated about Mexico Metropolis’s altitude?
England supervisor Tuchel was requested concerning the problem of taking part in on the Azteca shortly after they gained towards DR Congo.
“It’s possibly some of the lovely fixtures, essentially the most thrilling fixtures that you would be able to have, to play towards Mexico within the Azteca,” Tuchel stated.
“And there shall be plenty of obstacles ready for us, to not point out the altitude shall be, after all, an enormous drawback as a result of we can not bodily adapt to it in 4 days. It’s simply inconceivable.”
With the 2026 World Cup being held throughout america, Canada and Mexico, groups have a good turnaround between video games. The England squad travelled to Mexico Metropolis on Friday, reaching in the future sooner than the norm, nevertheless it is not going to be sufficient to acclimatise to the distinctive circumstances within the metropolis.
“The advice is you both go 10 days earlier than, which is just too lengthy for us, or final minute, which isn’t allowed,” Tuchel added.
Mexico Metropolis’s elevation impairs cardio capability as a result of much less oxygen is bodily dissolved within the blood, making it more durable for the physique to push oxygen into the cells.
For footballers, it means elevated coronary heart charge, shortness of breath, dehydration, faster and extra intense fatigue and delayed restoration.
There’s additionally the matter of the soccer itself. The thinner air means much less resistance, altering the pace and flight of passes and pictures.
“It can fly possibly 5 yards [metres] extra. It’s simply troublesome,” Tuchel defined, speaking concerning the motion of the ball.
Will England be at a drawback towards Mexico?
Sure.
Whereas England don’t have sufficient time to adapt physiologically earlier than the knockout tie, cohosts Mexico are accustomed to residing and coaching at altitude and have performed three of their 4 World Cup video games on the Azteca. They gained all three, beating the likes of South Africa and Czechia within the group stage and Ecuador within the last-32.
Whereas the venue shall be bodily demanding for all gamers, it will likely be notably troublesome for goalkeepers, who might battle to take care of the spin or flight of the ball, be it pictures at aim or crosses within the field.
England striker Marcus Rashford, although, brushed apart solutions that the altitude and ambiance might show decisive.
“It’s a sport of soccer. We’ve all been taking part in soccer since we have been children and we’ve performed in several environments, completely different atmospheres … It’s as much as us to attempt to discover a technique to come out on high, and that’s what the main focus is,” he stated.
“We’ve got to work collectively and attempt to carry as near our greatest as we can, and we’ll be superb.”
Are there any short-term options?
Tuchel might change his ways to maintain up with the testing circumstances.
England might choose to decelerate their taking part in fashion towards Mexico to permit the gamers time to get better between durations of high-intensity play.
They might probably need to maintain possession, save power and press ahead when the appropriate alternative arises.
