Thomas Tuchel has called on his England side to 'worship the ball' and remain patient as they prepare to face Mexico in the World Cup last-16 at the iconic Azteca Stadium. The match, set for Sunday, comes after England's chaotic 2-1 victory over DR Congo in the last-32, where they struggled to find rhythm and composure.
Mexico's Whirlwind Start
Mexico, buoyed by a passionate home crowd and the high altitude of Mexico City (2,240 metres above sea level), are expected to press aggressively from the outset. Raúl Jiménez, the Mexico striker, noted that the opening 20 minutes are crucial, as opposition players often struggle to adapt to the altitude. 'The first 20 minutes … the other players will be needing some breath, some air,' Jiménez said. 'That’s when we can make the difference.'
Tuchel acknowledged the challenge, saying: 'We are fully aware that it took us basically a whole quarter [against the DRC] to adapt in our press. We are fully committed to the effort that we put in but it’s not economical. We don’t choose the moments great. And we go too early, when we’re not set.'
England's Jittery Performance
Against DR Congo, England's early display was marked by frantic energy and misplaced aggression, leading to a 1-0 deficit before Harry Kane's late double secured the win. According to Opta, England had missed 15 big chances in the tournament before the last-32, the most of any team, with six coming in that match alone. France were next with 12.
'We’re too fast in our attacks,' Tuchel explained. 'It’s almost like every attack plays out like a fast attack. We need to understand that sometimes the door is closed, it doesn’t help if you rush into it. Try the other door. Find another way.'
Weather Disruption Looms
The match was initially threatened by a storm forecast, which led to discussions about moving the kick-off from 6pm local time to midday. However, after intense negotiations involving multiple stakeholders, FIFA confirmed the kick-off would remain at 6pm. The chaotic scenes mirrored the atmosphere in Mexico City after their win over Ecuador, where streets were jammed for a mile around El Ángel de la Independencia, with an estimated one million fans celebrating.
Tuchel's Vision Under Scrutiny
Since taking the England job, Tuchel has emphasised a Premier League-style approach: aggressive, brave, and incisive. He criticised Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad for lacking identity and freedom. However, critics argue that England's identity has been unclear during the World Cup, with performances described as 'too confused' and 'too frenetic.'
'I know what you mean [about the lack of identity],' Tuchel said. 'I think physicality-input is the identity of the Premier League and we will try to stay brave, play up front and put players into the last lines, play with wingers.'
England have faced a gruelling schedule, with seven flights in 12 days and four games in 13 days. Tuchel insisted he is not abandoning his vision or relying solely on Kane. 'We haven’t abandoned at all,' he said. 'We are working on it. We looked with a clear identity in our last warmup match against Costa Rica, but we lost a little bit the lightness and the rhythm.'
The Azteca Challenge
The Azteca Stadium, scene of Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' in 1986, presents a unique challenge. England must avoid a repeat of their erratic start against DR Congo if they are to progress. 'What other teams tell us who went in there late, without acclimatisation, is that the first 15-20 minutes are where you basically hit a wall. But when you go through it, it gets better,' Tuchel said. 'That’s exactly why Mexico starts their games like this. They just want to suffocate you.'
