England national team

[SamTheMouse]

Doesn't really seem fair that the USA keep getting the gig so often simply by virtue of the fact they're on a continent with basically only two other countries capable of hosting WC matches.

[PeterWithesShin]

It'$ p£rf£ctly fair.

[Halfway to Moseley]

According to Sky, Mexico have only ever lost twice at the Azteca stadium. It’s going to be a massive ask for England to progress given they will not have been able to acclimatise to the higher altitude.

The altitude is the combined height of Ben Nevis and Snowdon eeeek !!

I’ve been to Mexico City and got out of breath just going up one flight of stairs!

That’s just because I’m a fat bastard though.

[Sexual Ealing]

I've been many times and I didn't notice any difference. But I retired from physical exertion in the early 90s.

Hang on, I've just checked the altitude of Oaxaca City, where I lived. It's over 5000 ft so perhaps that's why I didn't notice it!

[cdbearsfan]

Doesn't really seem fair that the USA keep getting the gig so often simply by virtue of the fact they're on a continent with basically only two other countries capable of hosting WC matches.

I don't think it's unfair that they get them for the first time since 1994. Inevitably being awarded them again in 2038 is a piss take, though.

[PeterWithesShin]

It seems a bit wrong that the USA could host it 3 times since England/UK did. And even without any bias with the stadiums already here, the relatively easy travelling between host cities meaning a much better footprint than the US, and fairly steady climate it seems off. It annoys me Argentina hasn't had it since '78 and that's more recent, but also accept there's other issues for them.

[Pat McMahon]

I was in Argentina 20 years back and remember learning that they only used 6 grounds for the tournament. La Bombonera wasn’t one of them too.

I did trek up to the Mendoza stadium to see where Archie Gemmill scored his famous goal. It was run down and not even used professionally IIRC.

[Somniloquism]

Following on from the other night, at what point in a match does two goals from a goal scorer who has been on from that start constitute a "rescue act"?

Is it the lateness of the goals? If Kane has scored them both in the 25th and 36th minutes instead of 50 mins later, and then England created a lot of chances causing great saves, and fucked up other attacking options would that have been a rescue act?

[olaftab]

According to Sky, Mexico have only ever lost twice at the Azteca stadium. It’s going to be a massive ask for England to progress given they will not have been able to acclimatise to the higher altitude.

This ever lost twice is a bit of a false mountain. You need to look at who they have played there and its mostly the giants of CONCACAF. They did however beat Belgium twice and Brazil once. (friendlies I assume?)

[olaftab]

Following on from the other night, at what point in a match does two goals from a goal scorer who has been on from that start constitute a "rescue act"?

Is it the lateness of the goals? If Kane has scored them both in the 25th and 36th minutes instead of 50 mins later, and then England created a lot of chances causing great saves, and fucked up other attacking options would that have been a rescue act?

If you are 1-0 down in a knockout game with less than 15 minutes to go to win it is a rescue act.

[Dave]

According to Sky, Mexico have only ever lost twice at the Azteca stadium. It’s going to be a massive ask for England to progress given they will not have been able to acclimatise to the higher altitude.

This ever lost twice is a bit of a false mountain. You need to look at who they have played there and its mostly the giants of CONCACAF. They did however beat Belgium twice and Brazil once. (friendlies I assume?)

Belgium was in the '86 World Cup. Brazil was 4-3 in the final of the '99 Confederations Cup.

The beat Scotland 1-0 there in one of McGinn's early international games. If Scotland were able to escape a thrashing in the clouds (as have nearly every other semi-competent team to play there), I'm sure England don't need to stress too much about it.

[cdbearsfan]

I reckon altitude is less of an issue nowadays when you can make five subs anyway.

[Somniloquism]

If you are 1-0 down in a knockout game with less than 15 minutes to go to win it is a rescue act.

My definition of a rescue act is if we had called on Watkins who then scored them both. Kane was simply doing the job he failed to do for 75 mins, but is expected to do which is score the goals. In fact Gordon is the one who did the rescuing as he set them both up when the other wingers couldn't.

[LeeB]

Exhibit no.537,654 in "They actually get paid for this"

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/03/total-arsenalball-england-low-block-mexico-azteca

[Brend'Watkins]

Not the best advert for a qtr final is it?