05 July,2026 09:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Ronan Carvalho
England players during a training session in Kansas on Thursday. Pic/AFP
England are yet to kick into top gear at the ongoing FIFA World Cup, but they have skipper Harry Kane to thank for bailing them out throughout this tournament. The Bayern Munich striker has already netted five goals in four games, and former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia believes he will be the key man once again as the Three Lions face Mexico in a round-of-16 clash at the Estadio Azteca, where the altitude - 7350 feet above sea level - will pose a serious challenge to Thomas Tuchel's men.
"If any player has stood out individually, lifting the team when required, it has been Kane. He's been outstanding in this tournament, scoring goals when his team has needed him. He'll no doubt be vital for them against Mexico too," Bhutia, an expert panellist on ZEE5's World Cup coverage, told mid-day.
Despite Kane's ability to be the difference-maker for England, Bhutia, who scored 27 goals in 84 games for the Blue Tigers, believes the altitude factor could give Mexico the upper hand on Sunday.
"They [England] will definitely have a problem playing at such a high altitude. As a player, I can tell you it was tough for me to acclimatise to playing at a higher altitude after a match closer to sea level, and this was despite me being from Sikkim. So, the altitude will be a big advantage for Mexico," said Bhutia, who was nicknamed the Sikkimese Sniper for his goal-scoring prowess.
England forward Marcus Rashford is similarly wary about the altitude factor.
"It's going to be tough, the altitude definitely plays a factor. But it's not something we are too worried about. We are experienced players, who know how to manage a game," Rashford told reporters in Mexico on the eve of the match.
The geographical elements notwithstanding, England's defence, which looked shaky against Croatia (4-2) and DR Congo (2-1), will also be tested by the likes of Mexican forwards Julian Quinones (three goals) and Raul Jimenez (two goals) on Sunday.
With inputs from agencies
40
No. of years since England played at Estadio Azteca; they lost 1-2 to Argentina in the 1986 World Cup last eight, where Diego Maradona scored the famous âHand of God' goal
Two
No. of losses for Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in their last 89 matches
