'Karma will come back for us' - Thomas Tuchel says England ready to avenge Hand of God in World Cup clash with Mexico at Azteca

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Thomas Tuchel claimed "karma" will help England right the wrongs of the 'Hand of God' as they return to the Azteca at the World Cup for the first time since Diego Maradona's memorable goal gave Argentina a 2-1 quarter-final win in 1986.

'It's just impossible' - Tuchel on challenges facing England against Mexico

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The Three Lions will face co-hosts Mexico in the last 16 at the legendary arena, an imposing venue for several reasons, including altitude and atmosphere.

And manager Tuchel said his team can use the injustice of England's exit 40 years ago as fuel for Sunday's match.

Asked about the significance of the so-called 'Hand of God' and the country's history at the Azteca, he said: "It will reward us. We will get it back. It’s karma. Karma will come back for us. We will turn it around.

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"I remember, of course, the World Cup of Maradona. The two goals against England – the one dribbling and the one which would never stand these days.

"I remember that something was hanging in the middle of the Azteca and the shadow never moved. It was like a board hanging and the sun was so steep the shadow was always around the middle circle.

"I was 13 years old and Germany played [Argentina] in the final.

"It’s an iconic stadium. I remember the coffee table book that came from it and the pictures with all these flags and stuff.

"Super excited to have this match. It’s an iconic match to play against Mexico in Mexico but we will play against the whole country, the energy of the whole country, in their stadium."

Tuchel admitted that acclimatising to the altitude in Mexico City in such a short space of time would be "impossible", but he revealed England's plans to prepare as well as possible.

"We will go one night earlier [than usual, and travel on Friday] - it makes sense," he said.

"The ball will fly differently. It will fly maybe five yards more. It’s just difficult. We just need the experience.

"The recommendation is you either go 10 days before – which is too long for us – or last minute, which is not allowed.

"We have spoken to teams who do it and they say they travel very, very late on matchday if they cannot have time to adapt.

"It’s not possible so we find a mixture in between, but it will stay as a disadvantage.

"It is a huge advantage [for Mexico] of course, but that’s just what it is."

Mexico supporters set off fireworks near the Ecuador team hotel before the co-hosts' last 32 win over the South American side.

Tuchel acknowledged the possibility that England's players could have their sleep disturbed before the game.

"We will expect that," he said. "But what shall we do? We will bring stuff [like ear plugs] of course, but I expect everything."

Mexico, who have won all four of their matches at the World Cup so far without conceding a goal, have been beaten just twice in 89 games at the Azteca.

If England become the third team - after Costa Rica in 2001 and Honduras in 2013 - to beat Mexico in the capital, their reward will be a quarter-final against either Brazil or Norway.

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