MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico has spent 40 years chasing a return to the World Cup quarterfinals. On Sunday, their best chance in a generation arrives. Playing on home soil in a venue that has become an almost impregnable fortress, El Tri will face England in the round of 16—in what is arguably the most important match in Mexican football history.Mexico boasts a legendary record in official matches at the Estadio Azteca. Since the historic venue opened in 1966, the national team has suffered just two defeats in official matches there, with the last one coming over a decade ago against Honduras in September 2013.“The stadium is a monster; that explains the high number of wins and draws, and the few losses—which were just accidents,” said Hugo Sánchez, the legendary striker who played in the 1986 World Cup and now serves as an ESPN analyst. “We approach this with optimism because we know it’s England, but if we play the way we did against Ecuador, we can beat them.”
The numbers back up the myth. Across the 1970, 1986, and current World Cups hosted on home soil, Mexico has played 10 matches at the Azteca, winning eight and drawing two. In this tournament alone, El Tri has secured three home wins without conceding a single goal: 2-0 against South Africa and 3-0 against Czech Republic in the group stage, and 2-0 against Ecuador in the round of 32. Mexico also defeated South Korea 1-0 in Guadalajara in the group stage.It’s the first time Mexico starts a World Cup by winning four consecutive matches.
