Having reached the final 16 of the World Cup by scraping past DR Congo 2-1, one of many greatest risks going through England of their subsequent match in opposition to Mexico is one thing they can not management – altitude.
The Three Lions will likely be taking part in on the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico Metropolis, 7,220ft above sea degree.
It will likely be England’s first recreation on the stadium since their controversial quarter-final defeat by Argentina at the 1986 World Cup.
At that altitude, the Earth’s barometric stress is decrease, making the air thinner and that means much less oxygen is taken into the bloodstream with every breath.
Even for skilled footballers, that has a doubtlessly vital affect – elevated coronary heart price, shortness of breath, dehydration, faster and extra intense fatigue.
Against this, the stadium on the highest altitude in skilled English soccer is West Bromwich Albion’s The Hawthorns, which at 551ft is 14 occasions nearer to sea degree than the Azteca.
Opponents Mexico have performed all of their matches to date on residence soil, and the squad is clearly used to dealing with the situations – they’ve performed 14 video games on the Azteca to date within the 2020s, scoring 23 objectives and conceding solely 4.
Their aggressive file on the Azteca is 70 wins from 89 video games, with 17 attracts and solely two defeats. They’re additionally unbeaten in 10 World Cup video games there.
“As an opponent, you understand once you go there, you will undergo,” says Pavel Pardo, a former Mexico captain who additionally known as the Azteca residence when he performed for home facet Membership America.
So, what is going to the altitude really feel like for gamers out on the pitch, how massive a distinction might it make, and are there any methods to deal with it?
