England will be hoping to reach the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals when they face co-hosts Mexico on Monday at 1am (UK time).
The Three Lions were made to labour for their spot in the last-16, still yet to find an identity under Thomas Tuchel. England finished top of their group with seven points from three games, but there were worries about their attack. They looked to be on the brink of exit in the last-32 too, trailing DR Congo with 15 minutes left. But two late Harry Kane goals saved England and set up this mouthwatering clash.
Co-hosts Mexico are having the tournament they dreamed of so far. They topped their group with a perfect record, allowing them to remain in Mexico for the early knockout stages. Mexico faced Ecuador in the last-32 at the Estadio Azteca, and were comfortable in their 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez. They’ll now be looking to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time since 1986, when they last hosted the tournament.
This will be the 10th meeting between these two sides, but the first since 2010. England have won six of the nine games, including one at the 1966 World Cup.
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Mexico vs England team news
England team news
Reece James has given a positive update on his injury, and may be in contention to feature against Mexico. But Tuchel won’t want to risk starting him at right-back so soon. There’s a question of England’s right-hand side, though. They struggled there against DR Congo, and Tuchel could be tempted to make a few changes.
While Declan Rice performed well in his 12 minutes at right-back, he won’t start there. And Djed Spence came under a lot of fire. John Stones could come in at centre-back, with Ezri Konsa moving over to the right. Marc Guehi and Nico O’Reilly will complete the defence, with Jordan Pickford still the undisputed No.1. Rice and Elliot Anderson should continue in midfield.
Bukayo Saka may get his second start of the World Cup, as Tuchel still continues to manage his minutes. He was a bright start having come off the bench, replacing Noni Madueke. Anthony Gordon could also start on the left, after his positive impact with two assists. Jude Bellingham should continue in the No.10, with Harry Kane leading the line.
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Mexico team news
Javier Aguirre looks to have decided on a settled starting lineup for Mexico, after some experiments. The main changes have been in the midfield, with a few different trios used. After missing the first game, Luis Romo has started in midfield across the past three matches. And he’s likely to keep his spot here. Gilberto Mora has also started the past two matches having impressed as the tournament’s youngest player. Mora could keep his spot, with Erik Lira in the holding role.
Mexico’s defence has pretty much stayed the same. Jorge Sanchez has made the right-back spot his own, replacing Israel Reyes, with Jesus Gallardo on the left. The latter has only failed to start one game, when top spot and group stage qualification was already secured. Cesar Montes and Johan Vasquez should be the starting centre-back pairing, with Raul Rangel in goal.
Aguirre clearly has a favoured front line too. Roberto Alvarado, Raul Jimenez and Julian Quinones have started three of Mexico’s four games at the World Cup this summer. The only exception was their final group game. They will continue here, with Quinones and Jimenez both scoring in the win over Ecuador.
Mexico vs England predicted lineups
Mexico (4-3-3): Rangel; Sanchez, Montes, Vasquez, Gallardo; Romo, Lira, Mora; Alvarado, Jimenez, Quinones.
England (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Konsa, Guehi, Stones, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
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