England can use the Azteca to their advantage, nobody should have faith in Mexico

As England prepare to step inside the Azteca cauldron, former USA goalkeeper Brad Friedel believes there is plenty of cause for optimism.

Much has been made of the conditions Thomas Tuchel’s men will face in the last-16 clash in Mexico City on Sunday night with particular attention being paid to the altitude factor.

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That is a component that England will have to manage if they are to progress to the quarter-finals.

Another is the 88,000 raucous Mexican fans that will play their part in making it as hostile as possible for the Three Lions.

There is little doubt that England and their pocket of travelling fans will be heading into the unknown, however ex-Blackburn and Tottenham shot-stopper Friedel says that with the right approach, the tables can turn very quickly.

“I think England will beat Mexico,” he told talkSPORT. “I have no confidence or faith in Mexico as a group or a team.

“When they hit adversity… the first hydration break, if England are 1-0 up, the boos won’t be for the hydration break, it’ll be whistles against their team.

“That’s how the fans are in Mexico City. You can use their supporters against their home team.”

England know they cannot put in another disjointed performance against the co-host if they are to reach the last eight.

Tuchel’s side left it late to edge past DR Congo in midweek and that followed below-par displays against Ghana and Panama.

Sunday’s match will provide England’s biggest test of the World Cup and arguably Tuchel’s toughest challenge since taking over as head coach last year.

The Azteca Stadium, which has become a fortress for the Mexico team, sits at an altitude of 7,220ft

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Mexico are well acclimatised to the conditions, leaving them at an advantage over their opponents.

In 89 competitive matches at the iconic arena, Mexico have won 70 times, drawing 17 and losing on two occasions.

Their last defeat at the stadium came in a World Cup qualifier in 2013 when Honduras ran out 2-1 winners.

Mexico have looked solid in their three World Cup games staged at the Azteca so far.

They included wins over South Africa (2-0), Czechia (3-0) and Ecuador (2-0).

And while England boast arguably more quality within their ranks than Mexico, Tuchel knows that the conditions could provide a huge leveller.

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“You know what, we feel it,” he said. “We feel it even if we don’t train. I felt, for example, a slight headache in the hotel room through the day.

“Didn’t sleep as well as the days before but nothing that you cannot handle and cannot adapt (to).

“I think the players felt it in the first minutes of the training session and the longer it went, they could cope with it better. It is just what it is. We cannot physically adapt.

“It is just impossible but we are here one day before to experience it at least, to not have all the first-time experience tomorrow in the warm-up.

“We will have tomorrow’s warm-up, especially with the flight of the ball, with a bit of shortness of breath.

“I think it is not a coincidence that Mexico starts their matches normally at home very strong, very front-footed, very aggressively because I think the first 15-20 minutes will be maybe the toughest for us.

“Once we overcome that and we experienced it a little bit already today, I think we are in a good place.”

Listen to live coverage of England vs Mexico on talkSPORT with kick-off at 1am.