The race for the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals continues on Sunday (Monday, 1am African time) with England facing hosts Mexico in a blockbuster round-of-16 clash at the iconic Estadio Azteca, while five-time champions Brazil take on Norway in another decisive knockout fixture.
After France and Morocco booked their places in the last eight on Saturday, two more quarterfinalists will emerge from matches in Mexico City and New Jersey.
England’s encounter with Mexico has been among the tournament’s most anticipated fixtures, with the Three Lions returning to the Azteca 40 years after their memorable 1986 World Cup meeting with Argentina, a match remembered for Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal.
Thomas Tuchel’s side reached the knockout stage after surviving a scare against the Democratic Republic of Congo, with captain Harry Kane scoring a late brace to secure a 2-1 victory.
Although England arrived at the World Cup hoping to end the country’s 60-year wait for a major trophy, their performances have fallen short of expectations after an underwhelming group-stage campaign and a narrow win over DR Congo.
The Three Lions must also contend with the challenge posed by the altitude in Mexico City, with the Estadio Azteca sitting about 2,240 metres (7,350 feet) above sea level.
“The altitude will be, of course, a big disadvantage because we cannot physically adapt to it in four days. It’s just impossible,” Tuchel said before the team’s departure for Mexico City.
Having visited the stadium on Saturday, the England manager admitted the venue had already created a special atmosphere ahead of the tie.
“It just catches you straight away once you get in here and see the excitement and see the emotions.
“I felt straight away that this will be a proper World Cup match for tomorrow.
“We knew it before. We are in an iconic place, an iconic stadium,” Tuchel added.
Tuchel also faces the task of tightening a defence that has looked vulnerable to pace, particularly down the right flank.
Mexico, meanwhile, head into the encounter in impressive form after winning all four of their matches on home soil without conceding a goal.
Their 2-0 victory over Ecuador secured the country’s first World Cup knockout win in 40 years, and another landmark result beckons if they eliminate England before their home supporters.
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre played down suggestions that the altitude would be decisive, insisting the contest would simply be “11 v 11.”
The 67-year-old acknowledged England’s quality but said his side would have to produce an almost flawless display.
“They have major players who play both inside and outside the country,” he said. “They’re pretty powerful, physically speaking, and they’re great players.”
The match is scheduled to kick off at 6:00 p.m. local time (0000 GMT).
FIFA reportedly considered bringing the kickoff forward because of forecast thunderstorms before confirming the match would proceed at the scheduled time.
The winners will advance to a quarterfinal in Miami against either Brazil or Norway, who meet later at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where severe storms are also forecast.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed confidence that his defenders know how to contain Norway striker Erling Haaland, who has scored five goals in three appearances at the tournament.
“Everyone knows how he works,” Ancelotti said. “I have nothing to explain to my defenders how to play against him. They’ve obviously played against him several times.”
Norway coach Stale Solbakken, however, urged his players to focus on the match rather than the occasion.
“We need to make sure that we don’t play according to the occasion, but that we simply play the match,” Solbakken said.
“Obviously, Brazil is the favourite, but I also said that I don’t think they are big favourites, which they maybe had been some years ago, or two, three, four years ago.”
(The Whistler)