England have been instructed how to approach their World Cup last-16 knockout clash with co-hosts Mexico after surviving a scare against DR Congo on Wednesday. Thomas Tuchel’s side were forced to battle back from a goal down to beat their African opponents 2-1, with a late Harry Kane double sealing the win after Brian Cipenga stunned the crowd into silence in Atlanta.
England’s comeback win confirmed they would be facing tournament co-hosts Mexico, who have won all four of their matches so far – the only team besides France to boast a 100 per cent record. However, it won’t be any ordinary knockout tie, with Javier Aguirre’s men holding a clear advantage in playing on home soil.
Mexico have played three of their four 2026 World Cup matches at the Azteca Stadium, which is located 7,220ft above sea level. The effects of that mean playing at an extremely high altitude, where the air is thinner and players not accustomed to such a climate will hamper their stamina and ability to sprint.
Former USA international Brad Friedel, who made 450 Premier League appearances in his glittering career, accepted the conditions enhance Mexico’s threat but downplayed the quality of England’s opponents.
”Mexico is so average guys, they’re so average. I’ve played against them for years, because they’re playing at altitude, they look faster than anybody,” he said on the Netflix Rest is Football show.
“They’re an average, below average, they are so beatable and their fans get on them. I don’t care if they play a low block or a high block, they score, just get through the first 15 minutes and they will win the game.”
Friedel warned Tuchel’s men against repeating their performance against DR Congo where they conceded early on. The altitude means it will be even harder to fight back, with the American, 55, claiming the players will be ‘dead’ before the first hydration break.
View 3 ImagesHarry Kane of England celebrates his double vs DR Congo
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“Just don’t concede the first goal, what they try to do is suffocate you, they’ve created five chances in each of the games but the players are dead after 20 minutes because they’re fighting this uphill battle but England are so much better than,” he added. “It’d be a complete shame if they were knocked out because of the altitude.”
England have been based in Kansas City and travelling to each location. Reports say they will fly to Mexico City on Friday afternoon, but Tuchel has already accepted that it would be difficult to find a way for the players to get used to playing at such an extreme altitude.
View 3 ImagesBrad Friedel claims Mexico are an ‘average’ team(Image: Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
“I’m just coming from this match, and trying to enjoy, but it is maybe one of the most beautiful fixtures, most exciting fixtures than you can have,” Tuchel said of England’s round-of-16 clash. “You play against Mexico in the Azteca, and there will be a lot, a lot, a lot of obstacles waiting for us.
“Not to mention the altitude will be, of course, a big disadvantage, because we cannot physically adapt to it in four days. It’s just impossible and more obstacles will maybe come. But we are ready for that, we need it maybe. We have the ideal platform now to genuinely believe that we are ready for that, and when the going gets tough, that we will find the answers.”
Mexico have history on their side ahead of the highly-anticipated knockout game, having made it to the quarter-finals on the two previous occasions they were they were World Cup hosts in 1970 and 1986. They also boast an extraordinary record at the Azteca, losing just two of their last 70 matches inside the arena.
The co-hosts have impressed so far in the tournament, winning their first three games against South Africa, South Korea and Czech Republic in Group A. They then recorded a comfortable 2-0 win over Ecuador in the round of 32 to set up the last-16 match with England.
But England will be confident about their chances after Kane’s magical double in Atlanta. The Three Lions have also made it to the quarter-finals in their last two tournament appearances in 2018 and 2022, with their disastrous group-stage exit in 2014 now a distant memory.
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