Thomas Tuchel has predicted that “karma” will be on England’s side when they face Mexico at the Estadio Azteca, the site of Diego Maradona’s famous “hand of God” goal.
On Sunday, England will face the World Cup co-hosts in a huge round-of-16 clash, at a stadium they last visited at the 1986 tournament.
It was the site of their memorable quarter-final clash with a Diego Maradona-inspired Argentina team, and the eventual champions triumphed 1986 after scoring two very different goals.
Maradona’s first goal, dubbed ‘the hand of God’ saw him punch the looping ball over Peter Shilton and in, with the referee not spotting his handball. His second, four minutes later, was dubbed ‘the goal of the century’ after he dribbled past five England players on a 50-yard run.
Mexico have never lost a World Cup match at the iconic venue (W8 D2), winning their last six in a row.
This will be the 11th time they have played there in the tournament, which will make it the most games played at one venue by any team in the competition’s history.
But despite El Tri’s fearless record, Tuchel believes his side are owed a victory at the site of what the Three Lions perceive as one of the World Cup’s greatest injustices.
“I remember, of course, the World Cup of Maradona. Two goals against England. One that was dribbling and one that would never stand these days,” Tuchel told reporters.
“Not only as English people but even me. I didn’t have a connection to it, but it meant something.
“It will reward us. We will get it back. It’s karma. Karma will come back for us. We will turn it around.
“It’s an iconic stadium. It’s an iconic match, to play against Mexico in Mexico. It will be against the whole country, the energy of the whole stadium in their country.”
Mexico’s round-of-32 opponents Ecuador complained of disruption to their travel plans ahead of their 2-0 defeat, while fans also set off fireworks outside their team hotel.
Asked about the prospect of England facing similar issues, Tuchel quipped: “We will expect that. What can we do? Maybe we will bring ear plugs! I expect everything.”
Perhaps a bigger obstacle for the Three Lions is the altitude, with the Azteca sitting over 7,000 feet above sea level. Wembley Stadium sits only 187 feet above sea level.
Experts have warned that England’s players may face greater fatigue levels than in previous games, and Tuchel admits there is no way for them to counteract the effects, with FIFA not permitting teams to travel to host cities on matchdays.
“We will go one night earlier. It makes sense. The ball will fly differently. It will fly maybe five yards more. It’s just difficult. We just need the experience,” Tuchel said.
“The recommendation is you either go 10 days before — which is too long for us — or at the last minute, which is not allowed.
“We have spoken to teams who do it and they say they travel very, very late on matchday if they cannot have time to adapt. We must find a mixture in between. It will stay as a disadvantage.”
