<\/div>\n\u2018IT STILL HURTS\u2019: ENGLAND BOSS ACKNOWLEDGES BAD HISTORY<\/b><\/p>\n
England manager Thomas Tuchel said the Three Lions can banish memories of World Cup pain at the Estadio Azteca by rising to the challenge of eliminating Mexico on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Forty years ago in Mexico City, Diego Maradona defeated England in the World Cup quarter-finals in a match that is still remembered for the Argentine great\u2019s \u201chand of God\u201d goal, when he punched the ball into the net.<\/p>\n
This time England must beat one of the co-hosts in the last 16 to keep their quest for a first major tournament in 60 years alive.<\/p>\n
The match is also Mexico\u2019s biggest for decades as they aim to reach the last eight of a World Cup for the first time since 1986.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt just catches you straight away once you get in here and see the excitement and see the emotions. I felt straight away that this will be a proper World Cup match for tomorrow,\u201d Tuchel said at his pre-match press conference.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe knew it before. We are in an iconic place, an iconic stadium.\u201d But German coach Tuchel said there was no sense of seeking \u201crevenge\u201d at the historic stadium, which has played host to two World Cup finals.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is painful. It still hurts, but we are not here for revenge,\u201d he added, referring to the defeat to Argentina four decades ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the same stadium. It\u2019s not the same opponent. It doesn\u2019t make sense. We are here to write our own chapters.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>England’s German head coach Thomas Tuchel gives a press conference at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City.<\/span>Source: AFP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nOn top of facing a fervent home support, England also have to cope with adjusting to altitude of over 2,240 metres (7,350 feet) above sea level.<\/p>\n
Tuchel\u2019s side flew in on Friday, one day earlier than normal, to try and adapt. But the former Chelsea boss is wary of a fast start from Mexico, who have won all four of their World Cup games so far without conceding a goal.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe players felt it in the first minutes of the training session, the longer it went they could cope with it better,\u201d added Tuchel on the altitude.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are here one day before to experience it at least.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think it is a coincidence Mexico starts their home matches very strong, front-footed. I think the opening 15 to 20 minutes will be the toughest.\u201d Despite his vast experience at the top level of European club football and major international tournaments, former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson said the circumstances surrounding Sunday\u2019s clash presented the biggest challenge he has ever faced.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think this game compares with any game that I have been involved in to be honest,\u201d said the 36-year-old.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I have played a lot of different games in the Champions League, but in the World Cup, in Mexico, against Mexico, I don\u2019t think anything compares with that.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why it\u2019s such a good game to be involved in. I think everybody is just excited and really looking forward to the game and the challenge.\u201d Tuchel confirmed that Reece James will not be fit to start, posing him another headache at right-back.<\/p>\n
The decision not to name a specialist deputy for the Chelsea defender has been heavily criticised after he suffered a hamstring strain.<\/p>\n
Centre-back Jarell Quansah started the 2-0 win over Panama at right-back and is available again after an ankle injury, while Djed Spence struggled in Wednesday\u2019s 2-1 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo.<\/p>\n
<\/amp-ima-video><\/p>\n‘Those things keep going against us’ | 00:49<\/p>\n
<\/div>\nMEXICO BOSS PLAYS DOWN ALTITUDE FACTOR<\/b><\/p>\n
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre played down the Estadio Azteca altitude factor ahead of Sunday\u2019s World Cup last-16 clash with England, saying it would come down to \u201c11 v 11\u201d.<\/p>\n
The co-hosts take on Thomas Tuchel\u2019s team in Mexico City, with much of the pre-match talk centred on the tough challenge for the visitors.<\/p>\n
The pitch sits 2,240 metres (7,350 feet) above sea level. At that altitude, air is thinner, meaning each breath delivers less oxygen to the body and the ball travels faster and farther.<\/p>\n
Mexico are not among the favourites to win the World Cup but they boast a frightening record at the iconic Azteca, losing just twice in 89 competitive matches there.<\/p>\n
That is why former West Ham player Nigel Reo-Coker said: \u201cIt\u2019s the most physically demanding place I ever played football.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo come from Europe and play in that altitude is so difficult.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou cannot catch your breath. The first 45 to 55 minutes you\u2019re literally just trying to keep breathing.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about football intelligence \u2013 you really have to pick and choose your moments where you exert yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aguirre\u2019s men are in top form at the 2026 World Cup, winning all four of their games so far without conceding a single goal.<\/p>\n
But the 67-year-old told reporters on Saturday that his team would have to play a \u201cnear-perfect match\u201d to beat England, who are fourth in the FIFA rankings.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have major players who play both inside and outside the country,\u201d he said. \u201cThey\u2019re pretty powerful, physically speaking, and they\u2019re great players.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Mexico’s head coach Javier Aguirre gives a press conference at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on July 4, 2026<\/span>Source: AFP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAguirre played down any potential advantage that Mexico might have as a result of their experience of playing at altitude.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really do not focus on that,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s 11 against 11. The referee is there to point things out.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really don\u2019t think about things like that because we\u2019re 11 Mexican players that need to score in their net, and they\u2019re going to try to score in ours.\u201d The veteran coach, taking charge of Mexico at a World Cup for the third time over three spells, oversaw a first win for the nation in a World Cup knockout match in 40 years against Ecuador in the last 32.<\/p>\n
He said he was aware of the growing excitement in the country ahead of the high-profile last-16 tie with England but his job was to keep his players\u2019 feet on the ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe group is aware of where we are,\u201d he said. \u201cThe group knows, and every single one of my players has a smartphone and they\u2019re on fire, so they\u2019re pretty much aware of the euphoria and the optimism out there.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy obligation is that whenever they get too self-confident or whenever they get too ecstatic, I try to ground them.\u201d Aguirre said he believed his men could reach the quarter-finals, which are all taking place in the United States.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I didn\u2019t believe that we could indeed beat England, I would tell you, as a matter of fact,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I firmly believe in how (we) play. I believe that we are at par, and the team that makes fewer mistakes is going to win.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/amp-ima-video><\/p>\nSocceroos lose to Egypt on penalties | 12:01<\/p>\n
<\/div>\nHAALAND DOES NOT POSE MYSTERY FOR FIVE-TIME CHAMPS<\/b><\/p>\n
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said his defenders need no guidance on how to contain Erling Haaland ahead of Sunday\u2019s World Cup last-16 tie with Norway.<\/p>\n
Haaland is in the running for the Golden Boot after scoring five goals in three appearances at the tournament and now faces a familiar opponent in Brazil\u2019s Gabriel Magalhaes.<\/p>\n
The Manchester City striker and Arsenal centre-back will resume their Premier League rivalry in New Jersey, with a place in the World Cup quarter-finals on the line.<\/p>\n
Brazil\u2019s other central defender and captain, Marquinhos, has squared off against Haaland in the Champions League.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone knows how he works. I have nothing to explain to my defenders how to play against him. They\u2019ve obviously played against him several times,\u201d said Ancelotti.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think that there\u2019s such a thing as an anti-Haaland plan. I don\u2019t need to tell my players how to defend.\u201d Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes is also well acquainted with Haaland, having faced the Norway star while playing for Newcastle.<\/p>\n
He will have a key role to play in disrupting the supply lines to the prolific forward.<\/p>\n
That task may become even more important with Lucas Paqueta ruled out through injury, forcing Brazil to reshuffle their midfield.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to avoid the ball getting to his feet,\u201d said Guimaraes. \u201cWe do have to attack, but we\u2019ve got to make sure that somebody stays on him, because with one ball, he can decide the match.\u201d An extreme heat warning is in effect across the region and, while temperatures are forecast to ease on Sunday, the conditions are still expected to play a significant role in the match.<\/p>\n
In nearby New York City, the heat index — the apparent temperature when humidity is factored in — stood at 105F (41C) in mid-afternoon on Friday, although it was slightly cooler as the teams trained on Saturday.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Brazil’s Italian head coach Carlo Ancelotti reacts during the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between Brazil and Japan at the Houston Stadium<\/span>Source: AFP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\u201cI don\u2019t think anybody is used to that temperature,\u201d said Guimaraes. \u201cThis is going to be a very physical match. It\u2019s really important for you to have your squad on point, even the guys that come from the bench to be fresh.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ancelotti felt Brazil\u2019s comeback win over Japan in the last 32 had given his players greater belief heading into Sunday\u2019s clash with Norway.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to play at our best level, but I think we are at a time when we can play at our best level because we\u2019re confident,\u201d said the Italian.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve come out of a challenging last match against Japan, and we\u2019re prepared for anything that can happen, just as we were for our last match.\u201d He revealed that Raphinha could be included in the squad, having missed the past two games with a thigh injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cRaphinha is making great progress. He\u2019s not at 100 per cent, but he might be on the bench to play a few minutes.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s recovering really well and fast, we\u2019re really happy. Raphinha is a very important player for our team.\u201d Ancelotti also left the door open to Vinicius Junior and Neymar featuring together against Norway.<\/p>\n
Vinicius Junior has led Brazil\u2019s attack with four goals at the World Cup, while all-time record scorer Neymar has made just one brief substitute appearance following a calf injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Neymar and Vinicius could play together at some point, and I think they will,\u201d said Ancelotti.<\/p>\n
<\/amp-ima-video><\/p>\nZlatan sends message to 18yo Aussie | 00:41<\/p>\n
<\/div>\nCOACH QUITS AFTER TWO GAMES<\/b><\/p>\n
Herve Renard, who took over from Sabri Lamouchi as Tunisia coach in the middle of the World Cup, announced on Saturday that he was stepping down after just two matches in charge of the Eagles of Carthage.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy adventure (with Tunisia) has come to an end,\u201d the 57-year-old Frenchman posted on Instagram.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore I leave, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Tunisian Football Federation for allowing me to take part in the 2026 World Cup.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was an honour to represent Tunisia and to have this unforgettable experience,\u201d added Renard, who has guided Zambia and Ivory Coast to Africa Cup of Nations glory.<\/p>\n
Renard had been appointed by the federation on June 16 to succeed Lamouchi, who was sacked after Tunisia\u2019s 5-1 thrashing by Sweden in their opening match.<\/p>\n
But the former Saudi Arabia boss fared no better than his predecessor, overseeing a 4-0 loss to Japan and a 3-1 defeat to the Netherlands in the North Africans\u2019 remaining two group matches.<\/p>\n
Following Tunisia\u2019s elimination, Renard told AFP that he had come \u201cfor this World Cup\u201d, without specifying whether Tunisia had asked him to extend his contract.<\/p>\n
Renard had been set to guide Saudi Arabia through the World Cup but was sacked from his post less than two months before the start of the tournament in North America.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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