Mexico, the unique, football-frenzied nation straddling both North and Latin America, has so many bitter-sweet memories for England’s World Cup memories.
It was here in 1970 that the England team–a team that England manager Sir Alf Ramsey called his “best ever”, better even than the World Cup winning heroes of ‘66–played one of the greatest matches of all time, losing 1-0 to eventual winners Pele’s Brazil in their qualifying round and then going on to lose 3-4 to West Germany in a humdinger of a game that exacted revenge for the German’s 4-2 loss at Wembley four-years-before.
Hand of God
And Mexico, once again World Cup hosts in 1986, had not yet finished with breaking English hearts; as Argentine superstar Diego Maradona, literally single-handedly, beat England first by cheating–his infamous “Hand-of-God” goal–and then by scoring perhaps the greatest goal in World Cup history by slaloming past five-six-seven awe-struck England players and sliding the ball beyond keeper Peter Shilton.
The quarter-final defeat to Argentina, coming just two-years after their Falklands humiliation, and marked forever by the then- 25-year-old Maradona’s iconic goals, was played out in Mexico City’s celebrated Azteca Stadium, over 7,000 feet above sea-level – and a veritable fortress of Mexican football.
In 89 competitive matches at the Azteca, Mexico have won 70, drawn 17 and lost only twice; albeit against mostly low-quality regional opposition.
Hallowed Turf
So when this current iteration of English football, winners of only one major trophy, the 1966 World Cup on home soil, and no European titles, step out on to the hallowed turf in Mexico City at 1am BST Monday they will also be stepping out into history and confronting some of the demons that have prevented football from “Coming Home” for 60-years.
Sky Bet are offering 10/1 on Mexico to win this last 16 World Cup tie in extra time, compared to 17/2 for England; with odds of 9/2 for either team to win it in 120 minutes – and odds of 5/1 for either team to win on penalties.
Meantime, England captain and talisman Harry Kane, who has already scored five goals in this World Cup and a total of 13 World Cup goals in his storied career, is being quoted at 40/1 to have a shot on target against Mexico, for new customers to Sky.
Greatest Test
Paddy Power, for their part, are also offering odds of 40/1 for England’s other top player, Jude Bellingham, to take a pot at goal.
Both men, Kane and Bellingham, will need to be on top form if The Three Lions are to progress and likely meet first Brazil and then Argentina in the quarter- and semi-finals.
But for the moment, the first great test of England’s 2026 FIFA World Cup begins tonight/early morning against Mexico’s “El Tri” and a capacity crowd of 88,000 local supporters, known as “Los Incondicionales” (The Unconditionals) – a nickname that reflects their ferocity, passion and loyalty.
My bet?
England, shredded, to win on penalties.
Watch the game. And watch this space!
