Thomas Tuchel faces the biggest test of his England tenure as the Three Lions prepare to face Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. The match, played at an altitude of 2,240 metres above sea level, presents a formidable challenge for the World Cup co-hosts, who have not conceded a goal in the tournament so far. England must adapt to both the hostile environment and the thin air to avoid an early round-of-16 exit.
Noni Madueke out, Bukayo Saka in
The most straightforward change Tuchel must make is replacing Noni Madueke with Bukayo Saka. According to the analysis, Madueke should only start if Saka is not fully fit. Even then, Morgan Rogers could be a better option. Saka's experience and quality make him an automatic choice for the starting XI.
Djed Spence dropped after poor performance
Djed Spence, who started at right back against DR Congo, was caught in no man's land and struggled throughout the match. He was substituted when England were chasing the game, with Declan Rice dropping into defence. With Reece James or Jarell Quansah potentially returning from injury, Spence should be benched. An alternative could be using Rice at right back, but that would require midfield reconfiguration.
Anthony Gordon rewarded with start
Anthony Gordon changed the game when he came off the bench against DR Congo and deserves a place in the starting lineup. Marcus Rashford, despite getting into good positions, failed to take his chances. Gordon offers more out of possession, which is crucial against a dangerous Mexico side. Rashford could be an impactful substitute against tired legs later in the match.
Tuchel's team selection must be spot on to overcome Mexico's defensive solidity and the challenging altitude. Dropping these three players could give England the best chance of progressing to the quarter-finals.
