Mexico faces the biggest match in its history against England | OneFootball

For the first time in a long, long time (and when I say a long time, I mean years) I haven’t seen the Mexican people this connected with the national team.

Javier Aguirre’s side is playing outstanding soccer. After a perfect group stage, where Mexico won all three matches for the first time in World Cup history, El Tri backed it up with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Ecuador in the Round of 32.

But this time, it won’t be South Africa, South Korea, Czechia or Ecuador standing in their way. It’s England

A powerhouse that arrived in Mexico on Friday after flying in from the United States, where they defeated DR Congo 2-1 to book their place in the Round of 16.

Sunday’s match in Mexico City will bring the entire country to a standstill. Nobody wants to miss it. For the first time in years, even people who don’t normally follow soccer are paying attention to the national team, eager to witness what could become a historic moment.

After claiming its first World Cup knockout-stage victory in 40 years, Mexico is now chasing something it also hasn’t achieved since 1986: a place among the world’s final eight.

In past World Cups, facing England almost automatically meant your tournament was over.

Not anymore.

This group of 26 players isn’t thinking about the infamous “fifth game” anymore—the phrase that haunted generations of Mexican fans, executives, coaches and players alike.

Now the question is different.

What If?

What if we really can make it all the way to the World Cup Final? That is the mentality driving this current squad.

“We’re prepared for any scenario. Of course playing at home, with your own people, is incredible, it’s special. But this is a World Cup. You have to be ready for any situation, any opponent and to face the best national teams in the world,” Álvaro Fidalgo said Saturday during Mexico’s mixed zone at the High Performance Center, where the team has been based throughout the tournament.

“We’re taking it one game at a time. Tomorrow is an enormously important match for the history of Mexico and for all of us. We have to enjoy it, compete at the highest level and put together a great performance.”

Why does Mexico believe it can beat England?

“Why not? We’ve been playing great football. This World Cup has shown there are no easy opponents and that no team can afford to relax. We saw Paraguay eliminate Germany and we also saw Argentina struggle against Cape Verde. Every national team is competing at an incredibly high level.”

Fidalgo also addressed the altitude.

“I was asked about it earlier. It’s true—you can feel it. You notice it when you breathe and especially when you have to make repeated high-intensity runs. That’s no secret. When I first arrived in Mexico five years ago, during my first two weeks I felt like my throat was closing every time I sprinted.”

Jiménez: “We’re united”

Another player who spoke on Saturday was Raúl Jiménez, who has already scored twice at this World Cup and now ranks second on Mexico’s all-time scoring list.

“We’re a very united group. Everyone pulls in the same direction, whether they’re on the field or supporting from the bench. We’re all completely committed to the goal we want to achieve, and I think that’s going to help us a lot. Plus, the fans inside the stadium are going to play a huge role.”

And that’s exactly what Mexico’s training camp has looked like ever since the squad gathered at the end of May: one big celebration.

Yes, the sessions are intense. Yes, the work is demanding. But above all, this looks like a family more than just a football team. The players constantly joke with Javier Aguirre, tease him and embrace him.

Seventeen-year-old Gilberto Mora, the youngest player at this World Cup, gets teased because he “still has homework to do” or because “he has school tomorrow.”

Then there’s Guillermo Ochoa, playing in his sixth World Cup, who is constantly reminded by his teammates—lovingly, of course—that he’s now the squad’s “senior citizen.”

Everything around this team feels relaxed. Everything feels confident. Everything suggests this group genuinely enjoys being together.

Why can Mexico believe it can beat England?

“Because we’ve consistently played very good football. Our playing style is crystal clear and everyone knows exactly what they’re supposed to do on the field. Whoever plays understands their role,” Guillermo Ochoa explained.

What’s different about this generation?

“A home World Cup always gives you something extra. I don’t like comparing generations because every era is different, and hosting the tournament changes everything. We were lucky enough to experience it here, and we have to take advantage of it.

“This is a hungry generation. A talented generation. A disciplined group. You can see that every day and throughout this incredibly long training camp. Right now, we believe we can keep advancing.”

Spirit of a Nation behind El Tri

When Mexico walks out onto the field Sunday in front of more than 80,000 fans at the Estadio Azteca, it won’t just be a sea of green cheering them on.

Millions more will be behind them from their homes, with their families, in bars, restaurants, offices and glued to their phones.

This Sunday, an entire nation will be dreaming of a historic ticket to the quarterfinals, where Brazil or Norway await.

Should Mexico advance, it would also mark the end of its World Cup journey on home soil. Sunday’s match is the final game of the tournament to be played in Mexico before the competition shifts entirely to the United States. Mexico’s quarterfinal would take place at Miami Stadium.

But first…

But before anyone starts packing their bags, England must first be beaten.

Thomas Tuchel’s squad, led by Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Declan Rice, is equally hungry. England has reached the quarterfinals in each of the last three World Cups and has no intention of stopping now.

This time, however, they’ll have to deal with a team playing at home, more than 7,200 feet above sea level, inside a stadium expected to be overwhelmingly painted green.

Because yes, England’s squad is worth nearly ten times as much as Mexico’s.

Fortunately for El Tri… World Cup matches still aren’t decided by Transfermarkt.

An estimated 8,000 to 15,000 England supporters are expected to make the trip to Mexico City, one of the country’s largest traveling fan contingents outside Europe. Even so, they’ll remain a clear minority inside the Estadio Azteca, where more than 80 percent of the crowd is expected to be cheering for Mexico.

And when more than 70,000 Mexican fans erupt at once… Jude Bellingham might discover that altitude isn’t the only thing that takes your breath away.

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