| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ 19:29 - Oct 17 with 258844 views | BazzaInTheLoft |
About time we had one I think? |  | | |  |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 13:44 - Jul 2 with 2350 views | TheChef |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 10:50 - Jul 2 by francisbowles |
That's a very good observation. |
Yes even though Eze barely touched the ball he did help England occupy more space up top and as a result more space for Kane to operate in and score. |  |
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| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 13:47 - Jul 2 with 2325 views | Match82 |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 10:33 - Jul 2 by PlanetHonneywood |
I think Mexico will be under huge pressure, and that shouldn't be underestimated.
Yes at altitude, but fck it. We need to be brave, let them worry about us, and finally, unleash Los Kanequistadors!!! [Post edited 2 Jul 10:34]
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This last game was the one where Mexico were under pressure. El Quinto Partido - the fifth game. They've reached the 4th game 7 times since 1986 and always lost. Now they've won and think they've broken the curse, it's gravy for them here onwards
(Somebody tell them there's another round this year so they are still cursed not getting to the quarter finals if they don't win) |  | | |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 13:48 - Jul 2 with 2311 views | Match82 |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 10:07 - Jul 2 by TheChef |
Bookies innit. |
To be fair in the US, where things should lean a little more towards Mexico, England are also favored.... | | | |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 13:50 - Jul 2 with 2299 views | TheChef |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 13:47 - Jul 2 by Match82 |
This last game was the one where Mexico were under pressure. El Quinto Partido - the fifth game. They've reached the 4th game 7 times since 1986 and always lost. Now they've won and think they've broken the curse, it's gravy for them here onwards
(Somebody tell them there's another round this year so they are still cursed not getting to the quarter finals if they don't win) |
Mexico did get to the quarter finals in 1970 and 1986, but lost to Italy and West Germany respectively.
So in fact them beating us would be achieving par for a home World Cup! | |
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| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 13:59 - Jul 2 with 2244 views | QPROslo |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 10:50 - Jul 2 by francisbowles |
That's a very good observation. |
You could see close-ups of Tuchel telling the attacking players while looking straight at Eze, to close up by his arm gestures at least, at the end of that last adverts break. |  | | |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 14:07 - Jul 2 with 2194 views | Superhoop83 |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 13:39 - Jul 2 by Northernr |
We had a barbecue at the hotel on night one.
I woke up alone in the most beautiful hotel room I think I've ever stayed in at this all-inclusive place for a friend's wedding near Cancun. The room was a perfect circle, with one third of it floor to ceiling windows looking out at the ocean, and then the back third a gorgeous open plan bathroom/wet room separated from the main thing with a wooden screen and a double bed bigger than my first flat in London.
I got up, incredibly content, bollock naked, wandered around to the bathroom sink to brush my teeth, and I'm standing there minding my own business while my leccy toothbrush does its thing. Felt a little fart coming on, and I was in the room by myself, so I didn't really think twice about letting that go. I mean, what harm can come? ...
I swear, by the blood of Jesus, it was like Indiana Jones opening the The Ark of the Covenant.
We've still go all the wedding pictures. 30 Brits on a beach in Cancun, 35 degrees, everyone in long, dark trousers. |
The seemingly innocuous fart that precedes the unleashing of Hell never gets any easier.
My wife had been throwing up one night and I went for a pee feeling rather relieved and smug that the bug hadn't got me too. I then farted and thought I felt a poo coming on, so I sat down on the toilet.
4 days later we were able to venture back downstairs. |  |
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| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 14:16 - Jul 2 with 2153 views | stantheman10 |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 10:50 - Jul 2 by CamberleyR |
Mexico haven't beaten a top 10 ranked team at the Azteca since beating Brazil in 1999 in the Confederations Cup final.
Yes, the altitude and lack of acclimatisation will be a small issue and their home record looks impressive but is stat padded by beating basically pub teams in WC qualifiers. They haven't beaten the USA there in a qualifier since 2009 the last three being draws. |
Like the pub teams we've been beating for 2 years. Since the 2024 Euro final we've only played 3 teams that qualified for WC2026. Japan and Senegal who we lost to and Urugauy who we drew with. Hardly world conquering! | | | |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 14:40 - Jul 2 with 2079 views | R_from_afar |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 23:53 - Jul 1 by Match82 |
Not so sure Hunter, Mexico have looked incredible so far in this world cup and we'll fall to pieces with the altitude |
"we'll fall to pieces with the altitude".
I wonder if it's possible to test players to see how the altitude is likely to affect them. I suppose you can only do that if you stage a practice game somewhere high up.
The Azteca is at an altitude of 2200 metres. I've cycled and snowboarded at that altitude without any ill effects* but someone I was with on the snowboarding trip was very badly affected and needed oxygen. Yikes! I hope the England players avoid that.
*I'm not making out I'm some sort of superhuman, by the way, I think I was just lucky  . |  |
| "Things had started becoming increasingly desperate at Loftus Road but QPR have been handed a massive lifeline and the place has absolutely erupted. it's carnage. It's bedlam. It's 1-1." |
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| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 14:57 - Jul 2 with 2043 views | kensalriser |
If it was that difficult to play football at 2200m they wouldn't have built a stadium there. |  |
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| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 15:03 - Jul 2 with 2020 views | Dorse |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 14:57 - Jul 2 by kensalriser |
If it was that difficult to play football at 2200m they wouldn't have built a stadium there. |
It's not exactly Moonbase Alpha, is it? |  |
| 'What do we want? We don't know! When do we want it? Now!' |
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| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 15:14 - Jul 2 with 1967 views | 100percent |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 13:39 - Jul 2 by Northernr |
We had a barbecue at the hotel on night one.
I woke up alone in the most beautiful hotel room I think I've ever stayed in at this all-inclusive place for a friend's wedding near Cancun. The room was a perfect circle, with one third of it floor to ceiling windows looking out at the ocean, and then the back third a gorgeous open plan bathroom/wet room separated from the main thing with a wooden screen and a double bed bigger than my first flat in London.
I got up, incredibly content, bollock naked, wandered around to the bathroom sink to brush my teeth, and I'm standing there minding my own business while my leccy toothbrush does its thing. Felt a little fart coming on, and I was in the room by myself, so I didn't really think twice about letting that go. I mean, what harm can come? ...
I swear, by the blood of Jesus, it was like Indiana Jones opening the The Ark of the Covenant.
We've still go all the wedding pictures. 30 Brits on a beach in Cancun, 35 degrees, everyone in long, dark trousers. |
This sounds like the script notes to a new horror version of the Hangover series of films..... |  | | |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 15:25 - Jul 2 with 1944 views | strikerace |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 15:03 - Jul 2 by Dorse |
It's not exactly Moonbase Alpha, is it? |
Maybe we can play in these?
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| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 15:33 - Jul 2 with 1918 views | TwoHalves |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 12:02 - Jul 2 by Northernr |
Also my personal experience with Mexico is if you're there longer than 24 hours you can expect to see very dramatic results emanating from the lower colon. |
Lower colon only? You got off lightly. Let me tell you about my first trip to Ghana โฆ | | | |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 15:40 - Jul 2 with 1899 views | KensalT |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 14:57 - Jul 2 by kensalriser |
If it was that difficult to play football at 2200m they wouldn't have built a stadium there. |
It's not difficult for Mexico.
They love playing there.
2 defeats in 89 matches.
Never lost a World Cup match there!
https://www.espn.co.uk/footbal
What is Mexico's record at the Estadio Azteca?
Mexico have played 89 matches at the Azteca and won 70 of those, drawing 17 and losing only two.
When it comes to the World Cup, they have a similarly impressive record, winning seven matches, drawing three and never losing.
In that time, they have kept eight clean sheets and, with the World Cup held in Mexico in both 1970 and 1986, they were knocked out both times in different stadiums.
Should England beat Mexico here, they would be the first team ever to do so at the World Cup.
When did Mexico last lose at the Azteca?
You would have to go all the way back to Sep. 10 2013 for the last time Mexico lost at the Azteca.
That day they fell 2-0 to 2026 World Cup co-hosts the United States, with Edward Johnson and Landon Donovan scoring the goals.
In that time, there have been three World Cup tournaments and we are midway through the fourth since Mexico last tasted defeat at the Azteca. |  | | |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 15:42 - Jul 2 with 1896 views | daveB |
If England play Mexico the team rather than the occasion, stadium and record they'll be fine and win. If they get drawn into all the nonsence they'll get beat.
It could be a great and memorable night for us, think about the confidence and belief it will give them if they do manage to win. [Post edited 2 Jul 15:43]
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| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 15:46 - Jul 2 with 1867 views | Hunterhoop |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 15:40 - Jul 2 by KensalT |
It's not difficult for Mexico.
They love playing there.
2 defeats in 89 matches.
Never lost a World Cup match there!
https://www.espn.co.uk/footbal
What is Mexico's record at the Estadio Azteca?
Mexico have played 89 matches at the Azteca and won 70 of those, drawing 17 and losing only two.
When it comes to the World Cup, they have a similarly impressive record, winning seven matches, drawing three and never losing.
In that time, they have kept eight clean sheets and, with the World Cup held in Mexico in both 1970 and 1986, they were knocked out both times in different stadiums.
Should England beat Mexico here, they would be the first team ever to do so at the World Cup.
When did Mexico last lose at the Azteca?
You would have to go all the way back to Sep. 10 2013 for the last time Mexico lost at the Azteca.
That day they fell 2-0 to 2026 World Cup co-hosts the United States, with Edward Johnson and Landon Donovan scoring the goals.
In that time, there have been three World Cup tournaments and we are midway through the fourth since Mexico last tasted defeat at the Azteca. |
So, what youโre saying is that theyโre due a defeat there? Excellent. |  | | |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 15:47 - Jul 2 with 1861 views | KensalT |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 15:42 - Jul 2 by daveB |
If England play Mexico the team rather than the occasion, stadium and record they'll be fine and win. If they get drawn into all the nonsence they'll get beat.
It could be a great and memorable night for us, think about the confidence and belief it will give them if they do manage to win. [Post edited 2 Jul 15:43]
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The altitude thing isn't just a psychological edge. It's a real physical advantage.
Players tire quicker if they're not used to it, and the ball moves around quicker than they are probably used to.
I'm not giving up on England's chances but Mexico has a big advantage and England don't have time to prepare for it. | | | |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 15:49 - Jul 2 with 1847 views | KensalT |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 15:46 - Jul 2 by Hunterhoop |
So, what youโre saying is that theyโre due a defeat there? Excellent. |
That's the spirit  | | | |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 16:19 - Jul 2 with 1728 views | TK1 |
Altitude is gonna have an effect, obviously, but perspective's required - particular for media and team.
England have played there before, in 86: beat Panama 3-0 and lost to Argentina, and though it looked like they were running through treacle after Maradona, not sure altitude is why they lost that one. In fact, in the last half hour in 86 England did all the running.
Ever since the draw was made, Mexico in the Azteca has been the most likely Round of 16 game. So, if we've had weeks of the FA and their most loyal reporters in the press going on about the meticulous prep, the amazing camp etc....they must surely have had a plan for this. Even the dunderheaded FA of 85/86 had a plan.
"It's impossible to prepare for this" is the current mantra and a bit too close to getting your excuses in early. Tuchel is on ยฃ5m a year, so I'm sure he can find a workaround. | | | |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 16:34 - Jul 2 with 1677 views | Jeff |
for additional context, Clive was in a room by himself, me and Mrs Jeff (Producer Jaz on the patreon etc.) were in the next room, which had one of those weird adjoining doors that meant we could go directly into Clive's room and vice versa.
We had generally been going between the rooms freely up until this point, obviously knocking as a common courtesy. it's safe to say that when we knocked on this occasion, Clive made it clear in no uncertain terms that we were NOT to enter the room, and he was not liable for what we discovered and saw if we chose to do so  |  |
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| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 16:37 - Jul 2 with 1664 views | Northernr |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 16:34 - Jul 2 by Jeff |
for additional context, Clive was in a room by himself, me and Mrs Jeff (Producer Jaz on the patreon etc.) were in the next room, which had one of those weird adjoining doors that meant we could go directly into Clive's room and vice versa.
We had generally been going between the rooms freely up until this point, obviously knocking as a common courtesy. it's safe to say that when we knocked on this occasion, Clive made it clear in no uncertain terms that we were NOT to enter the room, and he was not liable for what we discovered and saw if we chose to do so |
Open plan bathrooms.
Great plan, Bart. |  | | |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 16:53 - Jul 2 with 1598 views | daveB |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 15:47 - Jul 2 by KensalT |
The altitude thing isn't just a psychological edge. It's a real physical advantage.
Players tire quicker if they're not used to it, and the ball moves around quicker than they are probably used to.
I'm not giving up on England's chances but Mexico has a big advantage and England don't have time to prepare for it. |
of course it is and that is an advantage but it's not impossible. England will surely have been preparing for this for ages, it's always looked likely they'd have to play in this stadium if they won the group | | | |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 17:02 - Jul 2 with 1557 views | LazyFan |
He will start Gordon, he had 2 assists in the last game and Rashford is back in the cannot finish a game box. Rashford did not run back at all in the first half and help out. Gordon does run back so, he will defo pick Gordon ahead of Rashford for Mexico game.
Gordon will start and be told to come inside and cross the ball a lot, even if he does not beat the defender; still cross it. Kane and Bellingham will be tasked with trying to win the headers from those crosses.
Madueke will play as he stretches defences, for then the team to switch the ball quickly to the other wing for Gordon to cross.
That will be the attack plan.
Also, it was either Rashford or O'Reilly at fault for the DRC goal. One of them was not running back, which pulled the other out of position.
Guรฉhi and Konsa were forced to come across from the centre, lopsiding the defence all to the left, which meant Spence was also dragged central and the free DRC man scored. The part of the fault also lies with Pickford being beaten near post. At least that won't happen again as Pickford learns from these mistakes. We need to ensure this does not happen again as for sure the Mexico manager will have noticed that weakness. Another reason why he will pick Gordon over Rashford.
Spence was selected for the squad as he's the fastest player; the Walker vs Mbappe replacement, should we get that far. His job was always to stop the speed merchants.
In my view, LB is a worse mess than RB. Spence is a RB, not a LB, so he should not play at LB. O'Reilly is not a LB, hes a DMC and a proper winger will skin him again and again. We have no real squad LB at all. Crazy that. Even QPR have a LB these days :P
When Livramento was out, he should have been replaced by Mitchell or Skelly (is he fit?). Mitchell, whilst not amazing, is experienced, solid and fast. This would have allowed us to play Mitchell and Spence. Not amazing, but pretty solid and fast enough to cope with speed merchants. This is important as England's weakness has always been being hit on the breakaways. This was the big mistake: no proper left back.
Stones is finished; I doubt he will start Stones. He's done.
Henderson should never have been included; we should have taken Wharton instead. Hes a future England star Wharton.
Stupid to take Hendo.
If we are winning and it's late in the game, I would like to see Mainoo shut the game out and rest Rice.
Bringing on Saka (drives the play into the corners, dragging play up the pitch away from our goal), Eze (controls the ball well and slows the game down) and Toney (defends corners well and is a nasty player) to punish the oppo when they take risks late on.
We need to be very physical against Mexico as I think they cannot handle the nasty side of the game. |  |
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| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 17:10 - Jul 2 with 1537 views | themodfather |
mexico arrive at most world cups top 10 rated and feared then do little, they are in a easy qualifying region, so do paly brasil, argentina etc they play usa and jamaica .
the heat and altitude are a factor , so retaining the ball and using it wisely will be really vital for team England , we just do not want to be chasing shadows it will exhaust us .
maybe think of younger legs in team? ie Mainoo quite rested and decent enough.
getting a back 4 balanced and right is the biggest task imo. or dare we try 3-5-2 ? | | | |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 17:34 - Jul 2 with 1469 views | KensalT |
| England Thread ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ on 16:53 - Jul 2 by daveB |
of course it is and that is an advantage but it's not impossible. England will surely have been preparing for this for ages, it's always looked likely they'd have to play in this stadium if they won the group |
You can only prepare for high altitude by actually being there.
We've only gat a few days to prepare against a team that has been living up there.
The AI take is that you need a minimum of 1-2 weeks:
"For professional athletes, the time it takes to adjust depends on the goal. Acclimatization for immediate competition takes 1 to 2 weeks. Long-term physiological changes (like building new red blood cells to carry more oxygen) take at least 3 to 4 weeks.
Professional sports have two main strategies for altitude:
1. The Short-Term Fix (Compete Now)
Goal: Avoid acute mountain sickness and regain baseline aerobic capacity.
Timeline: 1 to 2 weeks.
Why: In the first 24 to 72 hours, athletes actually feel the worst. The body loses water weight and heart rate spikes. After about 7 to 14 days, breathing and blood pH balance, bringing athletic performance close to sea-level norms.
2. The Long-Term Benefit (Build Endurance)
Goal: Increase red blood cell count for a permanent boost in performance.
Timeline: 3 to 4 weeks.
Why: The hormone erythropoietin (EPO) tells the body to create more red blood cells to catch the thinner oxygen. This takes nearly a month to mature
https://www.google.com/search? | | | |
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