ATLANTA (AP) — From the heights of Mexico City to the memories of Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal, England will have to contend with harsh conditions and the weight of history as he plays Mexico’s co-host on World Cup on Sunday.
Azteca Stadium – site of the Round of 16 game and site of Maradona’s memorable goal against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals – is more than 7,300 feet (2,200 meters) above sea level. With little time to acclimatize, the conditions are not in England’s favor but in favor of Mexico, who are unbeaten in 10 World Cup games at home over three tournaments.
“My understanding is we can’t adapt to the altitude. It’s just a huge advantage that Mexico will have,” England coach Thomas Tuchel said. “It just takes too long.”
For elite athletes to perform at their peak at high altitude, an adaptation period is required to reduce fatigue caused by lower barometric pressure and reduced oxygen availability. Sports scientists typically recommend a long acclimatization period of at least two weeks or a fly-in/fly-out method of arriving as close to game time as possible before acute symptoms occur.
England, which arrived in the United States early and held a pre-tournament training camp in Florida to prepare for high temperatures at this year’s World Cup, will fly from its Kansas City base to Mexico on Friday.
While Tuchel admits altitude is an inevitable challenge, much-criticized hydration breaks could be a deciding factor. He used them to turn the tide of England’s Round of 16 match against Congo. aiming for a 2-1 win after early assignment.
“I’m making the most of it,” Tuchel said. “You know I don’t really like them, I like football better when it develops with dynamics… but of course they are here and why don’t I try to take advantage of it?”
The Aztecs have painful memories of England. Argentina knocked out the 1966 champions in the quarter-finals at this stadium 40 years ago in a game that featured two of Maradona’s signature moments. He scored one goal with his hand and another, considered by many to be the best in the tournament’s history, after running from the halfway line and beating several England players before beating goalkeeper Peter Shilton.
Tuchel said fate would be on England’s side four decades later.
“We’ll get it back. It’s karma,” Tuchel said. “Karma will come back to us. We will correct it.”
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