Alan Shearer will be on commentary duties for the BBC tonight – and he reckons England are going to win on penalties in a nailbiter.
He told Betfair: “Mexico have looked really good. I think they were really, really good against Ecuador in their last game. I think they overpowered them.
“It looked as if Ecuador didn’t know what was coming and they hit them early and the game was pretty much over. And that’s what England are going to have to be wary of because if they get in front, it’ll be difficult to peg them back.”When you look at some of the players that Mexico have got, you think, yeah, they’re good, but as I keep going back to it is that the conditions might just even itself out.
“Well, they might not have as much ability as this England team, but we haven’t seen the best of England as yet and let’s hope that happens in this match.
“They’ve only lost twice there in so many years in the Azteca. I get that. But if you look at the quality of the opposition that they’ve played, vast majority of time hasn’t been great.
“I think England know they’re going into a really tough game. They’re going into a really tough environment with the conditions, with the environment.
“That levels everything up, I think. So, it’s a tough one to call. Yeah, mentally, physically is going to be tough for England and they’re going to have to be at their very, very best to get through, which we haven’t seen yet. So, let’s hope that they’re saving their best for Mexico.
“I think it could be a really long evening. I think this could be the first time England go to penalties, extra time and then penalties. So, I’m going to say it will be a very long night/morning for you guys’ back home. And I’m going to go England win on penalties.”