Fortress Azteca awaits: Why will England not enter the game against Mexico as favourites?

England has a stronger team, but they will not go into the match against Mexico as favourites. (Image credits – CommonsWikipedia, License Details)

England are set to battle it out against Mexico to book their spot in the last eight after having edged past DR Congo in the Round of 32. The Three Lions possess a squad worth way more value and quality and feature one of the best forwards in football right now, Harry Kane, as compared to the co-hosts, Mexico. However, Thomas Tuchel's men will enter this tie as anything but favourites.

On paper, England easily has the superior edge, but this game won't be decided on paper. Very few venues are as challenging to play on as the Estadio Azteca.

Located in Mexico City, this iconic stadium sits 7,220 feet above sea level, which makes the air pressure significantly lower, resulting in less oxygen, which makes it extremely challenging to play football altogether. This factor has troubled visiting teams for years as players struggle with fatigue and breathlessness and struggle to maintain intensity throughout 90 minutes.

England's squad are accustomed to playing at venues near sea level, and suddenly adapting to the harsh conditions of the Azteca will be extremely challenging. This venue has been historic, as it's the only stadium to have hosted two World Cup finals, in 1970 and 1986. It witnessed two icons of the game, Pelé and Diego Maradona, lift the World Cup for Brazil and Argentina, respectively.

For England, the memories of this place aren't quite memorable, as it was the venue where the famous “Hand of God” took place when Maradona scored the controversial goal with his hand against them in the quarter-finals.

Mexico has made the Azteca their fortress, and their record at this venue is formidable. El Tri have lost only 2 competitive games at this venue, and out of 89 games played there, they have won 70 times and drawn 17 times.

They've been unbeaten here for the last eight years, and that explains the level of difficulty England will be up against. Over the decades, top sides have left the Azteca frustrated, and the altitude isn't the only factor, as tremendous home support has transformed this venue into one of football's most difficult fortresses to breach.

More than 80,000 fans are expected to cheer for the home side, turning the Azteca into a sea of green with constant Mexican waves. While World Cup knockout games are mostly played in neutral venues, the home advantage will be with Mexico, where every tackle, interception and wave of attack will be cheered with incredible support.

This English side has never experienced an atmosphere like this before, and it could get very intimidating for the players.

On top of that, Javier Aguirre’s side have been excellent in the tournament so far. They finished top of the group, which had South Korea, South Africa and the Czech Republic, before knocking out Ecuador in the Round of 32.

They've been rock-solid at the back and haven't conceded a single goal, being the only team to do so far in the tournament. England, on the other hand, has been so convincing and has struggled to find creativity in the middle of the park.

The Three Lions required late heroics from Harry Kane to rescue themselves against DR Congo from what would've been a huge upset. While the victory highlighted their individual brilliance, it exposed the weak links, something which Mexico will be watching closely.

Tuchel's side has struggled to control games despite having world-class talent, and up front, they've been heavily dependent on Harry Kane for goals. Against top sides, these factors could hurt them badly.

Mexico also carries the psychological edge, as they've always dominated games which they've played on home soil. They are also past the first stage of the knockout rounds for the first time in 40 years and will be more hungry to make the run deeper into the tournament.

The opportunity to eliminate a footballing powerhouse right in front of its fans in Azteca is right on the plate, and that opportunity alone can inspire the players to fight on the pitch for the nation's badge.

England possess the quality and the tactical superiority, but this game will be determined by the physical and psychological factors, both of which currently give Mexico the edge. Recent form also gives El Tri the advantage over the Three Lions' and it sets up a huge mountain to climb for England in football's most impenetrable fortress.