Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions spend a sleepless night in Mexico City ahead of their World Cup last-16 clash with the hosts at Azteca
Thomas Tuchel’s side are set to have a sleepless night ahead of their last-16 clash with Mexico.
England have received permission from FIFA to erect barricades around their team hotel ahead of Sunday’s game against the Three Lions at the Azteca.
There are major concerns that Mexican fans will cause chaos on the eve of the last-16 clash, but FIFA has stepped in to thwart any plans.
Despite the FA’s desire to keep the location of the team’s residence a secret, Mexican fans are expected to do everything in their power to ensure Thomas Tuchel’s side have a sleepless night ahead of Sunday’s last-16 clash with the hosts.
On the eve of Wednesday’s Round 32 game between Mexico and Ecuador, thousands of fans gathered outside the Ecuadorian team’s hotel, setting off fireworks, chanting and revving their car engines in an attempt to disrupt the players’ sleep ahead of the final.
Mexico eliminated the winners 2-0 the next day, but the Ecuadorian Football Federation filed a complaint with FIFA following the incident in Mexico City. Thousands of Mexican fans are therefore expected to repeat their antics ahead of the clash with the Three Lions.
As reported by Mirror Football, the anticipated ambush turned into a logistical nightmare for England and the Football Association. I would have hoped to arrive in Mexico City later to reduce the effects of altitude and avoid a night of hell.
However, according to FIFA tournament rules, teams must arrive in the city where the match will be held within 24 hours of kick-off (Sunday 8pm local time).
Mexico has lost to the Aztecs only twice in 60 years (Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire)
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“The recommendation is to either go 10 days early, which is too long for us, but go last minute. That’s not allowed,” Tuchel said. “We’re going to go one night early. That makes sense.”
FIFA officials said decisions on whether to erect barricades around team hotels would be made on a case-by-case basis and that the crucial last-16 clash at the Aztecs justified such a step.
Tuchel himself was well aware that his team could face chaos on the eve of the match, saying: “Of course it’s expected, but what can we do? Of course I’ll bring things (like earplugs), but I expect everything.”
Mexico’s last-32 opponent Ecuador on Tuesday was furious at a noisy “serenade” by Mexican fans outside a hotel in Mexico City, saying it was against fair play.
“This behavior is a far cry from the principles of fair play, equality and solidarity that the World Cup should embody,” the country’s federation said in a statement after filing a complaint with FIFA.
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