It will be England’s first return to the Aztecs since 1986, when Diego Maradona’s cheating forced them out of the World Cup.
Tuchel takes England to Azteca for first match since 1986 (Image: Getty Images)
Manager Thomas Tuchel has claimed England will finally get their World Cup “karma” at the Azteca Stadium.
England lost in 1986 thanks to Argentine legend Diego Maradona’s infamous Hand of God goal, but now they will face co-hosts Mexico at the same venue.
Tuchel said he loved the history of the World Cup and had the memory etched in his mind, and promised he would be lucky in one of the scariest stadiums in world football.
Mexico has played 89 official matches at the Azteca Stadium, winning 70, drawing 17 and losing just two, both of which were against Costa Rica (2001) and Honduras (2013) this century.
Maradona fends off Peter Shilton in the England goal (Image: Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)
Asked what the Hand of God goal meant to England, Tuchel said: “Not just as an Englishman, but also for myself. I had nothing to do with it, but it means something.”
“Yes, it rewards us. We take it back. It’s karma. Karma comes back to us. We turn it around.”
England manager Tuchel was only 12 years old at the time of the 1986 World Cup, but he still knows what a quarter-final at the Azteca Stadium means. Maradona committed the biggest foul in World Cup history after punching the ball past Peter Shilton.
“Of course I remember the World Cup with Maradona. He scored two goals against England. One was off the dribble and the other was something that I can’t stand now,” Tuchel said.
“I love soccer and old tournaments. These photos are from Mexico and were taken at St George’s Park where we are staying.
“I think these big framed pictures are of Gary Lineker, who scored the goal in Guadalajara, and of course the coach and Peter Shilton.
“A big piece of history. This is a big moment to make peace with the stadium and turn things around.”
Tuchel also insisted that England would be prepared for a red-hot atmosphere at the Azteca Stadium if the number of Mexican fans far outnumbered the traveling supporters.
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