England

Back in Mexico City, and England midfielder Jordan Henderson says he has enjoyed his experience training at La Cantera de los Pumas:

"The training facility we've just been to is top. Really enjoyed it. High level. Really good training session.

"I think it was good that we came in a bit early to get used to the altitude and things like that so the players can get used to that before the game tomorrow.

"Very good training session, great facility.

"And the people have been brilliant with us since we've arrived."

Image source, Getty Images

Mexico fans are certainly not the ones getting into the party spirit!

A Grimsby street has been festooned with flags as residents get together to watch England's progress in the World Cup.

Wroxham Avenue has the St George's Cross hanging off every lamppost and house, with red and white bunting criss-crossing the road.

On Thursday, families watched England's 2-1 victory over DR Congo on big screens in their gardens.

Tom Leonard, who started the ball rolling by putting up a few flags, said it had "brought all the community together".

"People are watching the games outside with projectors," he said.

"They've even brought tellies outside and the kids just absolutely love it."

Sylvia Leonard, 72, said there was a great community spirit in the road and everybody was hoping England made it to the final.

"They're all friends, they're all neighbours, they're all really good," she said.

"If they [England] get there, there'll be a big party down the street."

The community has spent more than £250 decorating the street and hope the flags and support will help England lift the World Cup.

Mexicans in the north-east of England say they are excited for the upcoming World Cup knockout match but their hearts are divided.

Erika Servin Gonzalez, senior lecturer at Newcastle University, said: "Whoever wins, I get to party. We're amigos."

Meanwhile, some schools are planning to play highlights of the match on Monday morning including St Benedict's Catholic Primary School in Redcar and asked parents to keep the score secret.

Gonzalez, who is from Mexico and calls England home, warned it would be hard for any team that had not trained in the Estadio Azteca because of the altitude and pollution.

"The air can be very thick," she said.

"We're going to be happy no matter who wins."

Image source, Getty Images

Lourdes Heredia
BBC News

There has been a lot of talk about Mexican fans in the streets, dancing and chanting. But for many Mexican families, a big match is not just 90 minutes of football - it is an excuse for a fiesta (party).

Most families will prepare carne asada (grilled beef), which is often marinated the day before using a special family recipe. In my family, for example, we use beer in the marinade.

Hours before kick-off, the grill will be on and the party will begin with delicious tacos, guacamole, homemade salsas (sauces), chicharrones (crispy pork rinds), papas (potato snacks), and all kinds of botanas (snacks) with plenty of chile and lime.

The TV may be on in the background, and for some people like me, it is not about the football. It is about being proud that Mexico has reached this stage, especially after the less-than-optimistic predictions at the start of the World Cup.

Friends, cousins, uncles, neighbours, and anyone who happens to be nearby will be invited over. Everyone will wear green. Even if you do not own the official Mexico shirt, you will find a creative way to show your support.

Then there are all the lucky rituals. Some fans will wear their lucky jersey — the one that cannot be washed because Mexico won the last match while they were wearing it.

Once the game starts, if you were sitting in a particular spot during the last victory, you must sit in exactly the same place again. Moving, of course, could "jinx" the team.

I do not think my family ever went that far, but when the players start singing the national anthem, someone will often make the sign of the cross towards the television and bless each of the players.

The most devoted fans will light a veladora (prayer candle) next to the TV. Some families may even create a small altar with the Virgen de Guadalupe (Our Lady of Guadalupe), their favourite saints and a collection of random lucky objects.

The celebration can last for hours. The football die-hards will analyse every pass and every decision, while the less-fanatic guests will use the occasion to sing classic mariachi (traditional Mexican music) songs such as El Rey, or favourites by Juan Gabriel. Everyone will sing, dance and celebrate together until the final whistle — whether Mexico wins or loses.

Because, in the end, being a Mexican football fan is not just about the match. It is about family, friends, food, music, hope, and the belief that somewhere between a lucky jersey, a prayer candle and a plate of tacos, you might just help your team win.

Image source, Getty Images

It's a little bit naughty of those Mexican fans, of course, and follows a less than friendly greeting of jeers outside of their hotel.

But England manager Thomas Tuchel has spoken about the respect his staff and players have been shown as a whole by the Mexican people.

Here's an insight into what the majority of families in Mexico City, throughout the nation and even further afield will be doing to prepare for the big match...

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Mexico supporters attempted to wake up England players with music and fireworks close to their hotel the night before the sides' last-16 World Cup tie, but were moved back by police.

Footage published on social media appears to show a group of fans chanting, playing music and letting off fireworks on a street nearby England's hotel in Mexico City.

Early indications from the England camp are it had minimal impact on the players.

Police in riot gear have been lining the streets immediately surrounding the hotel, with anyone attempting to get close being moved away.

The increased security presence comes because Ecuador - beaten 2-0 by Mexico in the World Cup last 32 - lodged a noise complaint with world governing body Fifa after fans with loudspeakers, motorbikes and horns disrupted their sleep last week.

We have a newsflash folks.

Looking for positives for England?

Here's one...

BBC 5 Live Breakfast

Mexico fan Ivan Toribo told 5 Live Breakfast after watching their victory over Ecuador in the last round that expectations in the country have gone up:

"In my dreams we are going to win the World Cup. Our expectations were just to play all the games in Mexico, but realistically advance and or lose in this game [the forthcoming last-16 tie against England].

"But just the way we are playing now, our expectations have gone up."

Image source, Getty Images

Believe it or not, but Mexico striker Raul Jimenez scored his first goal for Wolves after returning from a fractured skull at Stoke - that was in a pre-season game in July, 2021, mind. Football is a small world after all...

Attacking with pace and flair is one thing, but Mexico also do this from a solid platform.

Their 2-0 win over Ecuador in the last 32 saw them become only the third team in World Cup history to win their first four games in a single tournament without conceding.

They follow Italy in 1990 and Brazil in 1986.

Expectation and anticipation is bubbling over in Mexico, and who can blame the fans for getting excited, with one more game to come on home soil in the last 16.

Mexico have played 89 competitive matches in the Estadio Azteca, losing only twice. (W69 D17 L2).

Those two defeats were for World Cup qualifiers in this century (1-2 v Costa Rica, external in 2001, 1-2 v Honduras, external in 2013).

Image source, Getty Images

Ange Postecoglou
Former Australia manager on ITV

We did question the standard of Mexico, especially with the standard of their group. What we saw today [against Ecuador] was high-quality football.

The whole nation is behind them, we've seen the scenes. [For] England going down to Mexico, it's going to be like stepping into a different World Cup for them.

Graeme Le Saux has warned England players about letting in negative thoughts.

Ange Postecoglou, meanwhile, has warned the Three Lions squad that going down to Mexico will be like "stepping into a different World Cup"...

A public service 'Get Involved' message if ever there was one. Jodi, you're hired! Here is the advice again on how to delete or install notifications on the BBC Sport app. Or click here for more info on the BBC News app.

England

Image source, Getty Images

Former England full-back Graeme Le Saux, who played at the 1998 World Cup, gave his reflections to BBC Radio 5 Live on his experiences as a club and international footballer and how it might have compared to what the current Three Lions players are facing in Mexico:

"We played in European games and in international games where there was a lot of disruption outside, where people tried to get us out of our routines and disrupt our preparations.

"You have to take that [on the chin] as much as you can, but disturbed sleep is obviously a negative. So that's one thing.

"I have not played at altitude, but I did climb Mont Blanc 10 years or so ago. I really struggled with the altitude, getting used to it. I suffered from headaches and felt I could not get myself going above a certain pace, and that was just walking, or rather climbing, up a mountain.

"The physical effects of altitude are well documented now, so I think the way England play and manage parts of the game, both individually and as a team, is going to be key.

"At the same time, England players cannot afford these things to be put in the forefront of their minds, enough to become a distraction or make them feel psychologically more vulnerable or in a worse position than the Mexican team."

Gary Lineker's hat-trick against Poland at Mexico 86 was an overnight game, wasn't it? A Harry Kane hat-trick would do nicely tonight, would it not?

Mexico's tactics do seem to mirror Muhamad Ali's classic rope-a-dope ploy in his heavyweight title win over George Foreman.

Give the opposition the ball, let them tire themselves out at altitude then hit them on the break.

Their goals against Ecuador, in a 2-0 win in the last 32, came in the space of 10 first-half minutes - all of a sudden the contest was over.

BBC 5 Live Breakfast

Mexican journalist Carlos Yustis, a reporter for Telemundo Deportes, told BBC Radio 5 Live after Mexico's victory over Ecuardor in the previous round that the co-hosts have enjoyed a "big advantage" playing their opening four matches in their home country.

However, if Mexico make it past England, they will play in the USA in later rounds - should they reach the quarter-finals that match will be played at Miami Stadium.

"I think the fact that the Mexico team has been able to be here [playing in Mexico] for the last 30-60 days is making a big difference on the pitch, like in today's game," said Yustis.

"This same crowd can push them through the next round.

"Once they have to move and they have to go to the US and Miami everything changes and that's where things can falter.

"As long as they're at home, they have a big advantage."

Image source, Getty Images

We have heard lots about altitude and how that may affect the match.

Thomas Tuchel believes it is more about his players' attitude, but Mexican journalist Carlos Yustis believes the conditions have played a part in Mexico's previous results at this World Cup...

The Opta supercomputer is predicting an extremely tight contest, with very little to split the teams.

England’s head-to-head with Mexico is strong, but El Tri - what the Mexico team is affectionately known as, on account of their tricolour flag - have that extremely impressive record on home soil that could be prove influential.

The Three Lions have a 40.6% win probability in normal time, only slightly ahead of Mexico’s 31.5%.

The draw, which would lead to extra-time and potentially penalties, is considered a 27.9% likelihood.

In terms of the tournament overall, England have a 55.6% shot at making the next round, while they are fifth favourites to win the trophy (8.7%).

Mexico, conversely, have a 44.4% probability of reaching the last eight, while their chances of being crowned champions sit at 2.6%.

Image source, Opta