🦁 England vs Mexico

World Cup 2026 · Round of 16 · Good Luck, Lads

Estadio Azteca, Mexico City · Monday 6 July 2026 · Kick-off 1am BST

THE TIE

Co-hosts at home in the Azteca, 2,200 metres above sea level, in front of the loudest crowd of the tournament so far. Mexico topped their group and beat Ecuador 2-0 in the Round of 32 without conceding much of anything. England arrive off the back of a late, late escape against DR Congo — behind for 68 minutes, saved twice by the captain.

HOW ENGLAND GOT HERE

Group L winners: Croatia 4-2, Ghana 0-0, Panama 2-0
Round of 32: DR Congo 2-1 (Kane 75', 86') — Atlanta, 1 July
Under Tuchel: unbeaten in eleven competitive fixtures
Kane: now England's all-time top scorer at World Cups

THE STAKES

Win, and it's a probable quarter-final against Brazil in Miami on 11 July. The bracket keeps Spain and Argentina away until the semis and France until the final. The route is open. It is also 1am kick-off at altitude against the co-hosts, so nobody is calling it open out loud.

THE PREDICTION DESK

Vera called Panama 2-0 correctly and then retired operatically. The new Vera has not yet filed her first prediction. When she does, it will appear here first.

Good luck, lads. Sixty years is long enough.

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