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Minutes after England survived a World Cup threat against DR Congo to get to the 16th episode, the focus shifted to what’s next for the Three Lions.
But it wasn’t the threat of the Mexican team that made the most noise, but the challenge of playing at the Azteca Stadium, a famous soccer venue that will literally take your breath away.
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The Mexico-England game on Sunday evening in Mexico City is the most talked about of the knock-out games, with discussions ranging from a change in kick-off time to a higher pitch that brings more trouble and the danger of the weather.
Al Jazeera breaks down how these factors could affect England’s chances of reaching the quarter-finals:
What time is England vs Mexico?
The game kicks off at 6pm on Sunday in Mexico City, which is 1am on Monday in London (00:00 GMT).
Why did FIFA decide to change the start time of England vs Mexico?
On Friday, media reports in the United Kingdom and Mexico said governing body FIFA was planning to move the match at the Azteca stadium from 6pm to noon due to concerns about storms and flooding in Mexico City on Sunday.
But FIFA decided have a set timebringing Mexico vs England forward would have also meant delaying Brazil vs Norway on the same day in New York/New Jersey.
Why is Mexico City one of the most difficult venues for the World Cup?
The Azteca stadium, the largest in Latin America, with a capacity of 80,000, is a fortress-like building for Mexico, who have lost only two of the 89 matches they have played there.
According to statistics provider OptaMexico are unbeaten in their last 22 competitive matches there (W16 D6), but the average FIFA Ranking of the opponents is just 57.
Venue of the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals, the Azteca Stadium has a long history in England, who are playing there for the first time since Argentina lost the quarter-finals 2-1 at the 1986 World Cup, famous for Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God”.
Is Mexico City at a high altitude?
The slopes of Mexico City are 2,240 meters (7,350 feet) above sea level. On top of that, the air pressure is very low, meaning that each breath takes less air out of the body, and the ball travels faster and farther.
In contrast, the Atlanta stadium, where England beat DR Congo 2-1 on Wednesday, is more than 300 meters (984 feet) above sea level.
What has Thomas Tuchel said about the height of Mexico City?
England manager Tuchel was asked about the struggles he faced at Azteca shortly after the win against DR Congo.
“It’s probably one of the most beautiful games, the most exciting games you can have, playing against Mexico at the Azteca,” Tuchel said.
“And there will be many obstacles waiting for us, not to mention how long it will be, a big problem because we can’t get used to it in four days. It’s impossible.”
With the 2026 World Cup being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, teams have a lot of flexibility between games. The England team went to Mexico City on Friday, arriving a day earlier than usual, but it will not be enough to get used to the special conditions in the city.
“What you can say is that you go 10 days earlier, which is too long for us, or at the last minute, which is not allowed,” added Tuchel.
Mexico City’s high altitude affects aerobic capacity because less oxygen is dissolved in the blood, making it harder for the body to pump oxygen into the cells.
For football players, it means increased heart rate, shortness of breath, dehydration, rapid and severe fatigue and delayed recovery.
There is also the matter of real football. Thinner air means less resistance, changing speed and flight for trips and shots.
“It will fly maybe five yards (meters) more. It’s difficult,” Tuchel explained, referring to the movement of the ball.
Will England be in danger against Mexico?
Yes.
Although England do not have enough time to acclimatise before the games, the Mexican players are used to high training and have played three of the four World Cup games at the Azteca. They won all three, beating the likes of South Africa and the Czechia in the group stage and Ecuador in the round of 32.
Although this area will be important for all players, it will be especially difficult for goalkeepers, who may struggle to deal with the curve or flight of the ball, whether shooting at goal or crossing the box.
England striker Marcus Rashford, however, played down suggestions that height and space would be an advantage.
“It’s a game of football. We’ve all been playing football since we were kids and we’ve been playing in different places, in different places… It’s up to us to try to find a way out, and that’s what the goal is,” he said.
“We have to work together and try to bring as much as we can, and it will be good.”
Are there short-term solutions?
Tuchel may change his tactics to meet the test.
England may decide to slow down their game against Mexico to allow the players to recover between high-speed games.
They would obviously prefer to own their wealth, conserve their energy and move forward when the right opportunity presents itself.
