Mexico City (Mexico), 5 July (LaPresse/AP) – “It’s the same stadium but not the same opponent. And even if it were, seeking revenge would make no sense. We’re here to write a new chapter.” Thomas Tuchel, England’s manager, ahead of the World Cup round of 16 tie against Mexico scheduled to take place at the legendary Azteca Stadium, does not wish to dwell too much on the historic defeat to Argentina in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup, a match characterised by Maradona’s brace – including the ‘Hand of God’ and the long coast-to-coast run dubbed the ‘Goal of the Century’ . “Everyone remembers that match: they’re iconic goals,” admitted the German manager. “It’s something that still hurts; the wound is still open, but we’re not here to seek revenge.” Mexico will be backed by a vociferous home crowd and will also look to capitalise on the altitude of the Estadio Azteca, at over 2,200 metres above sea level. “We can feel it; even when we’re not training, we can feel it. I’ve had a slight headache. And in my hotel room, I haven’t slept as well as I have on previous nights, but nothing insurmountable,” he admitted. “That’s just how it is; we can’t adapt physically – it’s simply impossible. But we’re here a day early to get used to it, at least so we don’t have to face all these new challenges during the warm-up.” As if that weren’t enough, hundreds of Mexicans are expected to gather outside the England team’s hotel on the eve of the match to disturb the players’ sleep – a ‘tactic’ already used against Ecuador. “We had no problems last night, and I think FIFA has handled the situation. And there’s security around the hotel, so we expect to sleep well,” concluded Tuchel. “I don’t want to talk about problems that don’t yet exist.”
2026 World Cup, Tuchel: “At the Azteca to write a new chapter after Argentina v England”
Mexico City (Mexico), 5 July (LaPresse/AP) – “It’s the same stadium but not the same opponent. And even if it were, seeking revenge would make no sense. We’re here to write a new chapter.” Thomas Tuchel, England’s manager, ahead of the World Cup round of 16 tie against Mexico scheduled to take place at the legendary Azteca Stadium, does not wish to dwell too much on the historic defeat to Argentina in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup, a match characterised by Maradona’s brace – including the ‘Hand of God’ and the long coast-to-coast run dubbed the ‘Goal of the Century’ . “Everyone remembers that match: they’re iconic goals,” admitted the German manager. “It’s something that still hurts; the wound is still open, but we’re not here to seek revenge.” Mexico will be backed by a vociferous home crowd and will also look to capitalise on the altitude of the Estadio Azteca, at over 2,200 metres above sea level. “We can feel it; even when we’re not training, we can feel it. I’ve had a slight headache. And in my hotel room, I haven’t slept as well as I have on previous nights, but nothing insurmountable,” he admitted. “That’s just how it is; we can’t adapt physically – it’s simply impossible. But we’re here a day early to get used to it, at least so we don’t have to face all these new challenges during the warm-up.” As if that weren’t enough, hundreds of Mexicans are expected to gather outside the England team’s hotel on the eve of the match to disturb the players’ sleep – a ‘tactic’ already used against Ecuador. “We had no problems last night, and I think FIFA has handled the situation. And there’s security around the hotel, so we expect to sleep well,” concluded Tuchel. “I don’t want to talk about problems that don’t yet exist.”
