Mexicans boast they will crush England at the Azteca – and list the weaknesses of Thomas Tuchel’s team in their national newspapers

Mexican media have expressed confidence their national team can end England’s World Cup campaign after highlighting weaknesses in Thomas Tuchel’s side and the altitude test of the Azteca.

The tournament co-hosts watched along as England struggled to a 2-1 victory over DR Congo on Thursday.

England fell behind in the opening minutes to a Brian Cipenga effort and toiled for an equaliser, before captain Harry Kane struck twice late on to send the Three Lions into the last-16.

The unconvincing win has emboldened the view in Mexico that their national team can beat England on Sunday and advance to the quarter-finals, as they have done the previous two times they have hosted the World Cup in 1970 and 1986.

One writer for Mexican newspaper El Universal called on Mexico to make England run in the altitude of the Azteca, which is 2,200 m (7,220 feet) above sea level.

England’s defence was also highlighted as a clear area of weaknesses that Mexico can exploit.

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‘As long as Mexico controls possession and forces England to run, especially down the wings with Roberto Alvarado and Julian Quinones, the visitors will gradually tire,’ the journalist wrote. 

‘This is an ideal match for Gilberto Mora, considering that the Three Lions’ defence is the weakest aspect of the team. With his intelligence and vision, Mora could deliver through balls to Raul Jimenez, who has Jordan Pickford as his target.

‘The fans and the Azteca Stadium will be an added advantage in this match. 

‘Their support must be palpable so that, as has happened in the past, the ghosts of recent English failures can be brought back to haunt them.’

It was also highlighted that Jimenez has enjoyed more success against Pickford than any goalkeeper in his time in England with Wolves and Fulham, scoring six times against the Everton shot-stopper.

The threat posed by Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, however, has been highlighted as major issues for the Mexican team to be wary of.

Daniel Blumrosen, the sports coordinator of El Universal also stressed Mexico’s home advantage could be a major factor, but expects a tight game.

Mexico have played 89 games at the Azteca, winning 70, drawing 17 and losing just twice.

The national team are unbeaten in World Cup matches at the iconic venue, including three wins this tournament, having scored seven goals without reply in games against South Africa, Czech Republic and Ecuador.

‘My prediction is that Mexico will win 1-0, although it will be a more difficult match than against Ecuador, because England has better players. Ecuador had two or three playmakers, England has nine. 

‘To begin with, the English players who play in their league are at sea level and have played in four different cities: Dallas at 120 meters, Boston, which is a port city, New York, which is at sea level, and they just played in Atlanta, at 300 meters above sea level, and they’re going to have to climb to 2,000 meters in Mexico.’

Blumrosen then declared that the ‘stadium and the fans, the altitude and the current level of the Mexican national team’ were factors in their favour heading into the match.

Another Mexican outlet Milenio conceded that England have the quality to trouble Mexico, but claimed the Three Lions can be made to ‘look human’ if placed under pressure.

‘When the game gets rough, when the opponent prevents them from settling in, or when they have to play from behind, they also show their human side. 

‘Mexico needs to turn the game into precisely that: discomfort. They need to create second chances, disrupt England’s game plan, press high, surprise with an early goal, and maintain a solid defense that reduces space.’

England boss Tuchel has admitted that Mexico have a ‘huge advantage’ heading into the last-16 due to the altitude.

‘It will be one of the most beautiful fixtures,’ he said. ‘But my understanding is that we cannot adapt to the altitude. 

‘That is just a huge advantage that Mexico will have. It just takes too much time. 

‘It is physically just not possible. We will have to deal with it and I think we showed that we are ready for that.’ 

England will be returning to the Azteca 40 years on from their famous 2–1 defeat to Argentina in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals.

The match has been immortalised by Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal and his stunning solo goal, widely viewed as one of the greatest in history.

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