Former USMNT goalkeeper Brad Friedel does not rate rivals Mexico highly ahead of their World Cup showdown with England.
Co-hosts Mexico are riding the crest of a wave right now. Their win over Ecuador in the last 32 sparked jubilant scenes of celebrations and England are no doubt in for a test on Sunday night.
So much has been made about Mexico’s home record. They have never lost a World Cup game at the Estadio Azteca, which sits 2,200 metres above sea level, after all.
Still, Friedel does not think England have much to worry about ahead of their World Cup game.
Friedel thinks England need to get through the first 15 minutes against Mexico
Friedel, who played for the USMNT on 82 separate occasions, believes Mexico are in fact little more than an average team.
Indeed, the 55-year-old believes that the Three Lions just need to get through the first 15 to 20 minutes of the game. After that, Friedel believes that their quality will shine.
Speaking on The Rest is Football on Netflix, the former New England Revolution coach said: “I’ve played against them for years, I know what they do.
“Because they’re playing in altitude, they look faster than everybody. They are an average team, below average actually.
“They are so beatable and their fans get on them. I don’t care if they play a low block, a high block, anything, they score first. Just get through the first 15 to 20 minutes and they will win the game.”
He added: “Just don’t concede the first goal. What they try to do is suffocate you so you can’t get your second breath, and then they try to press and they try to press.
“Just look at the games that they’ve played. They’ve created five chances in each of the games they’ve played but the players are dead after 20 minutes because they’re always fighting this uphill battle.”
Mexico’s home record is certainly worth commending but it does need to be put into perspective. Rarely have they beaten a team quite as good as England, with all due respect.
Costa Rica and Honduras, meanwhile, have previously won there.
That is not to suggest that Mexico do not have a chance of beating England, just that context must be applied.
Perhaps Mexico is a better team than Friedel believes but England are surely favorites heading into the game, concerns over altitude aside.
Either way, however, it’s going to be a fascinating game. England have a clear disadvantage against Mexico because they are not used to altitude but few would doubt they have a stronger team on paper.
Read more:
Weather forecast for Mexico vs England after Harry Kane points out ‘huge advantage’
Mexican vape laws 2026 ahead of England World Cup clash, punishments include eight years in prison
