Tuchel invokes Hand of God karma before Mexico clash
Karma is coming, Tuchel says before Mexico
Thomas Tuchel went there. At his press conference on Friday, the England manager invoked the Hand of God ahead of Sunday's round-of-16 match against Mexico at the Azteca. "It will reward us. We will get it back. It's karma. Karma will come back for us. We will turn it around," Tuchel said (4) (8).
The ghost of Diego Maradona's 1986 goal, the one that knocked England out and still haunts Peter Shilton, now hangs over this tie. Tuchel clearly wants his players to feel it.
Altitude row: Tuchel slams Fifa rule
Same press conference, different fight. Tuchel says a Fifa rule puts England at a "huge" disadvantage before Sunday's match, played 2,200 metres above sea level at the Azteca (5).
He wants the squad to fly in early and acclimatise. Fifa's rule apparently prevents it. Declan Rice was namechecked in the discussion (5). Tuchel is not hiding his frustration, he is making sure everyone knows about it.
Rice in 'terrible pain' but says he will be fit
Declan Rice came off in stoppage time against DR Congo. Tuchel said afterwards: "I asked him very late and he said 'I can do it for the team, but I am in terrible pain.' When Declan tells you that he is in terrible pain, then you know he cannot take it anymore" (9).
Rice himself played it down. He said after the game it is not an issue and he will recover (9). England need him for Sunday.
Guehi: Azteca is one of the greats
Marc Guehi is not shying away from the occasion. The centre-back called the Azteca "one of the great stadiums in football" ahead of Sunday's knockout tie (7). Your defense will need that reverence to turn into steel.
Wissa miss vindicates Howe
Yoane Wissa missed a big chance for DR Congo against England in the round of 32, and it has reportedly sharpened Newcastle's thinking. Eddie Howe wants the Brentford forward, and that flashpoint, a wasted moment at a World Cup, is now being read as proof of why Newcastle must accelerate the move (10).
England won that match 2–1, with Harry Kane among those who delivered (6).
Fan reactions
The Rice news has Arsenal fans talking, the sight of him in agony, then casually insisting he will be fine, is peak Declan Rice. Some are nervous, others trust him completely. Away from injuries, the build-up to Mexico is real: England supporters travelling to the Azteca have been sent a fresh safety warning, and pubs back home will stay open until 5am for the Sunday kickoff. ESPN report on Rice | Safety warning for Azteca trip
Sources
- 4. soccernews.com — Tuchel predicts England will receive Azteca ‘karma’ after Maradona ‘hand of God’ goal
- 5. theguardian.com — Thomas Tuchel claims Fifa rule puts England at ‘huge’ disadvantage in Mexico City altitude
- 6. soccernews.com — England can still make a deep run at the FIFA World Cup
- 7. bbc.co.uk — 'One of the great stadiums in football' - Guehi on Azteca
- 8. nieuwsblad.be — Zorgt “hand van God” na 40 jaar voor Engelse overwinning? Thomas Tuchel rekent op karma in Aztekenstadion
- 9. 101greatgoals.com — Tuchel reveals Rice in ‘terrible pain’ during England’s win over DR Congo
- 10. footballinsider247.com — Newcastle must accelerate Yoane Wissa move as England flashpoint proves Eddie Howe right