04/07/2026

SPORTS SATURDAY | JULY 4, 2026

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2026 WORLD CUP

Mexican standoff England at huge disadvantage at Azteca, says Tuchel T HOMAS TUCHEL insists England will be prepared for “everything” Mexico have in store during their last 16 World Cup clash at the Azteca Stadium, which is situated 2,200m above sea level. After his Three Lions side managed a dramatic 2-1 knockout win over DR Congo thanks to Harry Kane’s late brace, said: “It is maybe one of the most beautiful and exciting fixtures that you can have against Mexico in the Azteca and there will be 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 and in four days it’s just impossible. “More obstacles may 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. When the going gets tough, we will find the answers.” While it’s humid in Atlanta, Tuchel is mindful that the heat won’t compare to Mexico City. When asked if his side will do any specific training to pre pare for the conditions Tuchel added: “It’s not pos sible. Of course, it’s brutally hot outside but you’re right, we were glad to play indoors today. “We came very early to the country, we came very early to the US, and banked good heat training into our bodies. “That was basically the idea behind to acclima tise, so the players have a lot of heat training already in their bodies, that would help them. “So I think the heat and the humidity will not be the problem for us, we are used to that from train ing times, and we are used to it from our prep camp in Florida. “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. “We have only three days between this match, it’s physically just not possible to adapt to the alti tude, which is quite high. We knew that before. “So this is just a disadvantage with which we will have to deal, and I think we showed the attitude that we are ready for that, and from there we go.” Captain Kane basked in his glory after rescuing England with a breathtaking late double to defeat DR Congo. The talismanic Three Lions skipper’s brace – his 71st and 72nd goals of the season for club and country – set up a thrilling match-up against hosts Mexico at the legendary Azteca Stadium. Kane said: “It feels amazing to be honest. What a crazy game. You have to stay patient in these games. The last couple of games were very similar. The pressure is higher. But it’s about being our selves. “From an attacking point of view, it’s the best performance so far. We are in the part of the tour nament where we have to grind wins out.” Meanwhile, Tuchel joked: “It’s what we expect from him! It’s what he expects from himself. Difficult matches, close matches – Harry’s here to decide them. Top level. “If everyone gets what they like, we get an early goal, another goal, an easy afternoon. You have to deal with each situation that comes. They got a very early goal. “After the water break, we had four or five opportunities. The penalty situation didn’t go in our favour. We kept knocking, knocking and knock ing. The reaction and belief is one of a kind. We found a way to win. Well deserved.” Declan Rice was equally full of praise for Kane’s lethal instinct in front of goal, saying: “He’s going to get chances. If you give him a chance it’s a goal, I think personally. I’ve seen it too many times. “It’s ridiculous the goals he scores and how he scores them. His whole mentality around scoring, 72 for the season now, it’s just ridiculous, so credit to him.” – Express Newspapers

FANZONE

A picture montage of fans yesterday supporting Spain vs Austria at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California; Portugal vs Croatia in Lisbon and at the Toronto Stadium in Canada and Switzerland vs Algeria at the BC Place in Vancouver, Canada during yesterday’s World Cup Round of 32 matches. – AFPPIC/REUTERSPIC

Don’t concede early goal: Lions warned ENGLAND have been told how to tackle their World Cup last 16 knock out showdown with co-hosts Mexico

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. “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 they are,” he added. “It’d be a complete shame if they were knocked out because of the altitude.” – Express Newspapers

The consequences of this mean competing at an exceptionally high altitude, where the atmosphere is thinner and players unaccustomed to such conditions will find their endurance and sprinting capacity severely compromised. Former USA international Brad Friedel, who clocked up 450 Premier League appearances dur ing his distinguished career, acknowledged the environment boosts Mexico’s danger but played down the calibre of England’s adversaries. “Mexico is so average guys,

after narrowly avoiding disaster against DR Congo on Thursday. Thomas Tuchel’s men were forced to fight back from a goal behind to overcome their African adversaries 2-1, with a late Harry Kane brace clinching victory after Brian Cipenga had left the Atlanta crowd stunned into silence. Mexico have staged three of their four 2026 World Cup fixtures at the Azteca Stadium, which sits over 7,000ft above sea level.