England use new World Cup tactic in attempt to beat Mexico

News

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

England have hired more than 100 riot police to protect their team hotel ahead of their World Cup knockout clash against Mexico.

The Three Lions secured their place in the last-16 after a late 2-1 victory over DR Congo on Wednesday and they are one match away from a third consecutive World Cup quarter-final.

However, co-hosts Mexico are standing in their way and they have only lost two of their 89 competitive matches at the Azteca Stadium in history, with England set to walk into a cauldron when they take to the field at 1am BST on Monday.

Mexico fans set off fireworks, honked car horns and chanted loud songs outside Ecuador’s hotel before their round of 32 tie, and England took measures to combat this possibility before their arrival in Mexico City.

Thomas Tuchel’s side had hoped to keep their team hotel secret, but Mexico fans were able to find the address, and more than 100 riot police in bulletproof vests have been stationed outside the premises in an attempt to stop overnight disturbances, as per ESPN.

Sleep is a crucial method to combat the effects of altitude and without a prolonged rest throughout the night, England risk suffering increased effects of limited oxygen.

It’s reported that a police dog and a drone have also been deployed in an attempt to guard England’s hotel. Meanwhile, 17,000 police officers will be in Mexico City on Sunday, with 7,500 at the Azteca itself.

What has Thomas Tuchel said?

The Azteca Stadium sits at 7,000 feet above sea level and altitude is expected to play a key role in the match, with Tuchel aware that England are at a huge disadvantage compared to their last-16 opponents.

When asked about the altitude problem during his pre-match press conference ahead of the game, Tuchel said: “You know what, we feel it. We feel it even if we don't train. I felt, for example, a slight headache in the hotel room through the day.

“Didn't sleep as well as the days before but nothing that you cannot handle and cannot adapt (to).

“I think the players felt it in the first minutes of the training session and the longer it went, they could cope with it better. It is just what it is. We cannot physically adapt.

“It is just impossible but we are here one day before to experience it at least, to not have all the first-time experience tomorrow in (the) warm-up. We will have tomorrow’s warm-up, especially with the flight of the ball, with a bit of shortness of breath.

“I think it is not a coincidence that Mexico starts their matches normally at home very strong, very front-footed, very aggressively because I think the first 15-20 minutes will be maybe the toughest for us.

“Once we overcome that and we experienced it a little bit already today, I think we are in a good place.”

He added: “When you are inside of the bubble, it is actually quite calm, quite focused. We need to overcome obstacles, but we have the spirit, we have the commitment, the pure will and the glue between the team to overcome these things.”