Defense wins championships, and to this point in the 2026 World Cup, Mexico has not conceded a single goal. They have been stellar on the back end and, even with the star power of Harry Kane leading the way, England will find it difficult to penetrate that unit and be the first team to find the net.
Especially considering the altitude and the so-so play of the Three Lions.
England struggled against the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ghana, tying both and never looking like the aggressive, attacking team they hoped to be in this year’s tournament.
Against a Mexico squad that has consistently built momentum and is playing some of the best ball of any remaining team, with a goalie in Raul ‘Tala’ Rangel who is as athletic at his position as anyone remaining in the field, and you have a match-up that is not favorable for the English.
Kane is an elite scorer and could prove to be the kryptonite to Mexico’s defensive excellence, if there is one, but the inconsistency of England to this point makes it difficult to predict them to beat one of the better units this tournament has seen.
