Harry Kane has fired a warning shot ahead of England’s last-16 date with Mexico, admitting there is nothing the Three Lions can do to counter one huge disadvantage awaiting them in Mexico City.

England’s captain was speaking after another dramatic night in the World Cup, rescuing Thomas Tuchel’s side from a shock defeat to DR Congo with a five-minute double that also saw him move above Pele on the all-time World Cup scoring charts.

England trailed DR Congo for over an hour, thanks to Brian Cipenga’s early strike, until Kane’s intervention turned the game on its head, but the celebrations were short-lived once talk turned to what comes next.

Mexico await in the last 16, and this one comes with a built-in obstacle no amount of quality can fix.

Kane Fears England Can’t Overcome Azteca Altitude

Pawel Andrachiewicz / PressFocus via Reuters Connect

That obstacle is the Estadio Azteca, sitting roughly 2,240 metres above sea level and previously the stage for the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals.

Mexico have lost just twice in 89 competitive matches there, and Kane fears his side simply won’t have time to adjust to conditions before kickoff. Kane said after his latest goalscoring heroics:

Sports scientists generally suggest a week or two of acclimatisation is needed for the body to adjust to an altitude of that magnitude, something England have no chance of replicating given they only have four days between fixtures.

Thomas Tuchel Accepts England Won’t Be Ready in Time

Kai Pfaffenbach via Reuters

Tuchel was just as candid, admitting there’s no getting around the physical reality his players face. Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “We will not be ready; we will arrive one day early, but we will not be ready because you cannot be ready in terms of adaptation. The body cannot adapt in three days’ time; it’s just impossible.

England, who are based in Kansas City, won’t touch down in Mexico until the weekend, while El Tri arrive unbeaten in 26 games at the Azteca after seeing off Ecuador.

Thunderstorms are forecast for kickoff, and Mexican supporters have already shown their willingness to disrupt opposition preparations, with fireworks set off outside Ecuador’s team hotel before their own visit to the stadium.

Tuchel, though, insists his players won’t use any of it as an excuse. “Bring it on,” he said. “It’s a very beautiful and exciting fixture. There will be lots of obstacles, but this team will be ready, whatever it takes.”