Who would England play next at World Cup if they beat Mexico? | OneFootball

A massive quarter-final tie would loom for Three Lions if they can triumph at Estadio Azteca in last 16

The Three Lions head to a potentially stormy Estadio Azteca on Sunday night looking to defy one of the best records in international football and book their place in the quarter-finals.

Mexico have only lost two out of 89 previous competitive games at their high-altitude fortress in the capital Mexico City, which sits more than 2,000 metres above sea level.

The last of those defeats came all the way back in September 2013, which rather sums up the scale of the task facing England this weekend against one of the World Cup host nations, who are being backed by a passionate home crowd.

Fans of a certain age certainly won’t need reminding of England’s last visit to the famous and formidable Azteca, when the late Diego Maradona scored both the ‘Hand of God’ and arguably the greatest goal in tournament history within the space of four second-half minutes as eventual champions Argentina won in the quarter-finals.

It is an extremely difficult challenge that Thomas Tuchel’s side certainly will not be overlooking, especially after they needed inspirational captain Harry Kane’s late brace to save them from a disastrous upset against DR Congo in Atlanta in the last 32.

But if they did get through, who would lie in wait next for England?

Captain fantastic: Harry Kane scored twice late on to save England from a major World Cup upset against DR Congo

PA

Who would England play next at World Cup if they beat Mexico?

If England do manage to get past Mexico, they will seal a quarter-final spot at the World Cup for the third tournament in a row.

That would next take them to Miami Stadium on July 11, where they would be in line for a 10pm BST kick-off time on a Saturday night.

Their opponents for that match would be either Brazil or Norway, who go head to head before Mexico vs England, kicking off at 9pm BST in New Jersey on Sunday.

It would be England’s first meeting with Brazil at the World Cup finals since the last eight in 2002, when Michael Owen’s opening goal in Shizuoka was cancelled out by Rivaldo and Ronaldinho’s famous free-kick lob over David Seaman, with Ronaldinho later sent off as the star-studded Selecao won 2-1 en route to their record fifth and last global triumph.

The two nations have met six times since then in friendlies, with teenage sensation Endrick’s first senior Brazil goal condemning Gareth Southgate’s England to a 1-0 loss at Wembley in their last contest in the run-up to Euro 2024.

Brazil topped Group C at this World Cup after victories over Haiti and Scotland followed a tough opening draw with Morocco, though Carlo Ancelotti’s side needed a last-gasp winner from Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli to complete a stunning turnaround against Japan in the last 16.

Norway, by contrast, finished as runners-up to France in Group I with Erling Haaland on top form, beating Iraq and Senegal before being brushed aside by Les Bleus after Stale Solbakken made sweeping changes with progress to the knockout stages already secured on the country’s first World Cup appearance since 1998.

Haaland popped up with a late winner to down Ivory Coast in the last 16, teeing up a showdown with Brazil, with whom they drew during the group stage at France 98.

England have never played Norway at a major tournament and have faced them only twice in friendlies this century - winning 1-0 at Wembley in 2014 and in Oslo in 2012.