Joe is confident England can pass their Azteca test!
Energy drinks? Check. Mike Bassett half-time team talk memes? Check. Sick notes for the boss? Check. It could only be the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Look, nobody wants to watch England at 1am on a Monday morning – but the alternative is chilling. Be under no illusions; had Yoane Wissa’s near-post connection at 1-0 been a few inches to the left on Wednesday night, we’d almost certainly be making Thomas Tuchel dartboards right about now, and calling DR Congo ‘the new Iceland’.
So on we go into another nerve-shredding night, as England gear up to face a Mexico side who demolished Ecuador in the Round of 32.
The Azteca altitude has been the main topic of discussion as England prepare to cope with an energy-sapping environment . It’s a tough one to gauge, but luckily we have Joe Cole on hand to give some expert insight. Here he sis on Mexico v England. Let’s go!
Half-Time: Draw
England to win (90 mins)
Harry Kane to score
Jude Bellingham 2+ shots
Declan Rice to assist
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WHEN: Monday, July 6th, 1am
WHERE: Estadio Banorte, Mexico City
TV: BBC One/BBC iPlayer/RTE2
The conditions will be a huge factor here, that’s for sure. The Mexico fans are loving it as hosts for the first time since 1986, and they’ve got that incredible record at the Azteca with no defeat there since 2013. Mexico have looked good in the tournament, winning all four games – three of which have been at the Azteca – and not conceding a single goal. They’ve got some really dangerous players too, with Julian Quinones scoring three goals so far, and he was top scorer in the Saudi Pro League last season with 33.
England are reliant on Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, but so are Argentina with Messi; France are the only team that is spreading that focus around their attack. This is all set to be a barnstormer of a game, and England need to keep Mexico quiet for the first 15-20 minutes. I can see it being a draw at half-time as England have not led at the break in any game up to this point at the World Cup.
England can’t afford to concede an early goal, but after the break, they can push on and get the win inside 90 minutes.
Kane has been excellent with five goals and two huge ones against DR Congo, so I’m looking at him to score again. Bellingham has also been brilliant, so take a look at him for two or more shots – which he’s got in three of the four games – and he’s bagged a couple of big goals too.
Declan Rice to Assist
His set-pieces will need to be better than they were against DR Congo, but Declan Rice crossing the ball can be lethal and we’ve already seen England make the most of aerial chances.
Mexico v England tips
Half-Time: Draw
England to win (90 mins)
Harry Kane to score
Jude Bellingham 2+ shots
Declan Rice to assist
A Bet Builder with these selections pays approximately 48/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK OR TAP HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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