'It's going to be mental' - atmosphere sizzles ahead of Mexico v England

Mexico City is awash in green, with palpable tension and swelling belief as the capital prepares for a highly anticipated World Cup clash between Mexico and England at the iconic Azteca stadium. Streets are lined with barricades, and massive screens are set up along Reforma Avenue, ready to broadcast the game to hundreds of thousands of fans. The match is steeped in history for both sides. England carries the memory of their 1986 loss to Diego Maradona's brilliance at the same venue, while Mexico grapples with a 40-year drought without reaching the World Cup quarterfinals. "This match means everything," said Adriana Martinez, a 28-year-old fan. "History will be made here today." The weight of these past events fuels the hope that "whoever scores today will be a legend forever," as 12-year-old Noa put it. Belief in the Mexican team has grown with each victory, with crowds swelling to over a million after their win against Ecuador. The mantra "Y si sí?", "What if?", accompanies this infectious optimism, a remarkable turnaround for a team initially seen as lacking stars. Axel Villarreal, a 23-year-old fan who traveled six hours by bus, expressed his hope: "We really want to live the experience of having the World Cup here at home. I honestly have the hope they can advance." The altitude at the Azteca, over 2,200 meters, is a major talking point. Mexico has a formidable home record at the stadium, having lost only two competitive matches there since its opening in 1966. The Mexican national team has been training in the city for weeks, while England only arrived recently, leading to some English fans bemoaning the perceived unfair advantage.

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This match means everything. History will be made here today.