NEW YORK, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Harry Kane scored twice as England rallied from a goal down to beat Democratic Republic of the Congo 2-1 on Wednesday and reach the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup, but an even tougher challenge awaits against co-host Mexico.
England not only faces a partisan home crowd, but also the effects of playing at altitude in Mexico City with little time to acclimatize.
England played DR Congo in Atlanta, which sits 300 meters above sea level. Mexico City is 2,240 meters above sea level, where the thinner air reduces the amount of oxygen available with each breath.
Athletes generally require more than a week to acclimatize to high altitude and increase the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen through the body. England, however, will arrive in Mexico City only two days before Sunday's match.
Mexico, meanwhile, has played three matches in Mexico City and one in Guadalajara, which stands 1,566 meters above sea level, meaning its players are accustomed to competing in thinner air.
Ecuador struggled with the conditions in its 2-0 loss to Mexico in the round of 32 on Tuesday. A team that had looked defensively solid earlier in the tournament was repeatedly exposed by Mexico's pace and bore little resemblance to the side that defeated Germany.
Ecuador's previous matches had all been played close to sea level, in New Jersey and Philadelphia, while its draw with Curacao in Kansas City came at an elevation of about 280 meters.
"The altitude will be a big disadvantage because we cannot physically adapt to it," England coach Thomas Tuchel said after the victory.
"It just takes too much time. We have only three days in between these matches. It's physically just not possible to adapt to the altitude."
"This is just something with which we will have to deal. I think we showed the attitude that we are ready for that." ■
