Thomas Tuchel has called on his England side to 'worship the ball' and remain composed as they prepare to face a Mexican whirlwind in the World Cup last-16 at the Azteca Stadium on Sunday. The match, described as arguably the biggest in Mexico's history, has been overshadowed by chaos both on and off the pitch.
Weather Disruption Threatens Kick-off
Discussions over moving the kick-off from 6pm local time to midday due to forecast storms ultimately resulted in no change, with Fifa deciding the game would remain at 6pm. The memory of the celebrations after Mexico's win over Ecuador—where streets around El Ángel de la Independencia were jammed for a mile and a million fans reportedly gathered—highlights the fever pitch in Mexico City.
England's Frantic Display Against DR Congo
England's last-32 victory over the Democratic Republic of the Congo was marked by a traumatic first quarter, with Tuchel's pre-match warning—'It can be a game of patience and we must not freak out'—proving prescient. England freaked out, trailing 1-0 before Harry Kane's two late goals secured a 2-1 win. The jitteriness extended to attack, with England missing 15 big chances, the most of any team, including six against the DRC.
Tuchel acknowledged the issue: 'We are fully aware that it took us basically a whole quarter to adapt in our press. We are fully committed to the effort but it's not economical. We don't choose the moments great. And we go too early, when we're not set.'
Azteca Cauldron and Altitude Challenge
The Azteca Stadium, 2,240 metres above sea level, presents a unique challenge. Mexico striker Raúl Jiménez noted: 'The first 20 minutes… the other players will be needing some breath, some air. That's when we can make the difference.' Tuchel expects a whirlwind start from Mexico, who aim to suffocate opponents early. 'What other teams tell us is that the first 15-20 minutes are where you basically hit a wall. But when you go through it, it gets better,' he said.
Tuchel's Vision and Identity
Since taking the England job, Tuchel has emphasised playing like a Premier League team—with aggression, bravery, and incisive combinations. He criticised Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad for lacking identity, saying they were 'more afraid to drop out than have the excitement and hunger to win.' However, England's identity has been hard to discern in the World Cup, with performances described as confused and frenetic. Tuchel admitted: 'We lack a bit of patience. Physicality-input is the identity of the Premier League and we will try to stay brave.'
England have played four games in 13 days and taken seven flights in 12 days, a gruelling schedule. Tuchel insists he has not abandoned his vision or over-relied on Kane. 'We haven't abandoned at all. 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.'
