England, Mexico Open World Cup Last-16 Clash at 7,220ft Azteca

Q: With both teams yet to concede a goal, whose perfect defensive record will shatter first in this quarter-final clash?

Mexico’s is the only unbeaten defensive record clearly at stake. The premise of the question does not fully hold up against the available reporting. England have already conceded in this tournament: they beat DR Congo 2-1 in the last 16, and other supplied material also notes England had conceded two goals by the end of the group phase. Mexico, by contrast, are consistently described as having gone through four matches with eight goals scored and none conceded. That means the cleaner way to frame this quarter-final is not which of two perfect records will break first, but whether England can become the first team to score against Mexico. There is a strong case that they can. England have scored eight goals in four games, Harry Kane is in form, and Alan Shearer is confident Tuchel’s side have the midfield balance and attacking quality to trouble Mexico. At the same time, Mexico’s defensive run is backed by more than luck. They are at home at altitude, unbeaten in World Cup matches at the Azteca, and have the crowd and conditions on their side. Tuchel himself has called the altitude a major obstacle. So the most evidence-based answer is that Mexico’s perfect defensive record is more likely to be the one tested and potentially broken first, because England’s already has been.

3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 6

England’s World Cup last-16 match against co-hosts Mexico is under way at Estadio Azteca, with no substitutions made yet.
BBC Sport opened live player ratings for both teams, letting signed-in users score players out of 10 until 30 minutes after the final whistle.
The displayed scores will switch to an average of all user submissions once voting closes.
Azteca adds a major test for England: Mexico has lost only two of 88 competitive matches there, and the stadium sits 7,220 feet above sea level.