England boss Tuchel urges players to write own history at Azteca against Mexico

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England boss Tuchel urges players to write own history at Azteca against Mexico

By Paul Myers


World Cup
England head coach Thomas Tuchel is attempting to steer an England squad into the last eight at a World Cup for the third tournament on the trot. - AFP - CARL DE SOUZA

SUN, 05 JUL 2026





England head coach Thomas Tuchel is attempting to steer an England squad into the last eight at a World Cup for the third tournament on the trot. – AFP – CARL DE SOUZA

England will play at the venue in Mexico City for the first time since their 1986 World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina.

Two goals, courtesy of one Diego Armando Maradona, etched the game into legend.

In the first, he used his hand to push the ball past the England goalkeeper Peter Shilton. 

For the second, he scythed through half a dozen England midfielders and defenders to slot the ball past Shilton for a strike that was later named ‘Goal of the Century’.

‘No unfinished business’

“We’re not here for revenge,” said Tuchel as he encourqged his players to shrug off any sense of aggrievement or unfinished business.

“We are here to write our own chapters,” added the 52-year-old German.

“It is maybe one of the most exciting fixtures that you can have, to play against Mexico in the Azteca.” 

The game will take place at an altitude of 2,240 metres – a disadvantage for England who played their last match against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Atlanta on 1 July.

Mexico’s players are acclimatized having played three of their four games at the Estadio Azteca.

Mexico record at Estadio Azteca

Mexico also boast a daunting record at the ground since it was opened in 1966: they have won 70, drawn 17 and lost two competitive games.

Javier Aguirre’s men go into the clash having topped their group with wins over South Africa, South Korea and the Czech Republic.

They saw off Ecuador 2-0 in the last 32 and are attempting to become the first Mexico team to reach the last eight since the 1986 World Cup.

‘Dream match’

“It’s a match everyone dreamed of,” said Mexico midfielder Alvaro Fidalgo.

“Facing England in the last 16 at the Estadio Azteca. It’s probably one of the biggest games we are ever going to experience as players.”

The 29-year-old midfielder added: “We know how they play. Their midfield is highly physical, above all.

“They have great players in every position. They are going to be great opponents.”

The winner faces either Brazil or Norway in the quarter-finals on 11 July in Miami.

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Originally published on www.modernghana.com


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