England stars have a big showdown with Mexico on the horizon and Thomas Tuchel’s troops could turn to Viagra to help them beat the World Cup co-hosts.
The two nations do battle at the Estadio Azteca on Sunday at 6 pm local time, with a 1 am kick-off for fans in the UK. There had been talk of FIFA potentially moving the game six hours ahead due to concerns over safety and the weather.
The conditions are proving an issue for Tuchel’s Three Lions, and the term ‘altitude’ has been thrown around more than ever before ahead of an English game. That’s because the players have to adapt to the high altitude and brave a fearsome atmosphere inside the 87,523-capacity stadium.
England Hoping Viagra Falls Mexico
Paul Childs via Action Images via Reuters
The Azteca is located at 7,220 feet (2,240 metres) above sea level. Tuchel has already admitted that playing at high altitude will be “impossible” and is a “big disadvantage” ahead of the clash with Javier Aguirre’s side.
Viagra could be the answer for England as they would be allowed to use the prescription medication which is often used to treat erectile dysfunction. Tuchel will hope that his players are all functioning on the same wavelength against the Mexicans.
Tackling high altitudes is where Viagra comes in handy, as it also fixes high blood pressure. Known as ‘Vitamin V’ it widens blood vessels in the lungs after blocking an enzyme that restricts them.
The over-the-counter drug can help counteract fatigue and dizziness that may occur due to the conditions. It’s harder to maintain stamina when playing at high altitudes due to the thinner atmosphere and lower oxygen concentration.
England have grown into the competition rather than shown what they are capable of thus far. They needed Harry Kane to produce a magnificent brace to come from behind and beat DR Congo in the Round of 32.
Why England Can Use Viagra
England national team celebrate World Cup victory.REUTERS/Paul Childs
The Three Lions can use Viagra because it isn’t on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of prohibited substances. The active substance sildenafil isn’t believed to be a significant performance enhancer at or near sea level.
Tuchel’s men won’t have to fret over the possibility of an erection during the match as the medication only treats erectile dysfunction when the recipient is sexually stimulated. Unless a goalscorer gets carried away in their ecstasy during celebrations, their benefits are more focused on endurance and cardiovascular.
While England could use Viagra for their clash with Mexico, they decided against doing so during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. An FA spokesman said at the time that they had conducted detailed research but that “no discussion with regard to Viagra” and “plans for players to use it” took place.
It will take a big effort from the Three Lions to defeat the co-hosts as they have only lost two competitive games at the Azteca in 57 years. Should the English prevail, they may well have the little blue pill to thank.
Even England’s best player understands the task ahead.
Thomas Tuchel Dismisses England’s Viagra Use
John Sibley via Reuters
During his pre-match press conference, Tuchel was asked about the speculation that viagra would be part of his players’ preparation. A slightly confused-looking Tuchel responded by denying it.
“The information and the support didn’t reach me. That is not true,” the German coach told reporters. It came after midfielder Jordan Henderson, sat next to his manager, joked about the matter.
Asked about the altitude issue facing the Three Lions in Mexico, the Brentford star joked: “Well, the Viagra helps… I’m joking, it’s a joke.”
Christian Horner made his first appearance in the F1 paddock since being sacked by Red Bull last year when he attended Sunday’s British Grand Prix.
It didn’t take Sky Sports’ Craig Slater long to track down the 52-year-old, with the journalist being keen to get answers about Horner’s potential future in the sport.
The veteran team principal was quick to try and play the relaxed spectator, mentioning he’s been to Silverstone every year since 1993. Interestingly, though, Horner was accompanied by F1 PR Guru Alice Hedworth, which suggests that there was likely a business element to his presence at the race.
Christian Horner Addresses Rumours of F1 Return at British Grand Prix
When he was asked about rumours that he could be tempted to invest in a struggling team or front an entirely new grid entry, Horner did not shut the noise down. Instead, he issued a bold statement of intent, detailing the exact baseline a team would need to get him back involved in the sport.
“For me, I would only look at doing the right thing, something that really had an opportunity to win at the end of the day”, Horner insisted.
That one line says a lot about Horner’s mindset about returning to the sport. He is seeking a partnership that can take the fight directly to his former employers, with whom he spent 20 years before being shown the door last July.
Christian Horner’s Options For F1 Return Explored
The most tangible rumour relating to Horner involves a consortium looking to invest in Alpine. The French Renault-backed team is currently floundering in mid-table. With its infrastructure, though, and high investment backing from firm Otro Capital, they will be looking to benefit from Horner’s track record of leading an elite team.
Then there is Aston Martin, for whom Horner stated that it feels painful for him to watch struggling. With a state-of-the-art wind tunnel and upcoming factory in the Honda engine deal, the pieces of a winning puzzle are there if the right mastermind pulls them together.
The most ambitious route back to the sport for Horner would be for him to get involved with a brand-new team. Reports suggest that a 12th team could soon be added to the grid, backed by Chinese automotive giant BYD. Fronting a total newcomer would give Horner a completely new clean slate to build a powerhouse from the ground up, entirely on his own terms.
“There is so much speculation, I think I have been linked with every team on the grid so far today. I am just here to enjoy the race.” Horner reasoned as he tried to deflect from Slater’s questioning.
Horner claims he is in no rush, but walking the Silverstone paddock is the ultimate power move. He has officially signalled to all potential suitors that he is interested in making a deal, but only if they can meet his own ambitions.
Rangers have been handed an avenue to complete a deal for Lewis Ferguson after it emerged that Bologna want to sign an Ibrox star, according to the Daily Record.
The Light Blues have had a busy summer window already after finishing third in the Scottish Premiership, with Derek McInnes replacing Danny Rohl as manager and all of Lawrence Shankland, Ben Godfrey, Ivor Pandur, Ross McCrorie, and Dan Neil arriving as part of the squad for next season.
But the club are still keen to make even more additions before the start of the new campaign, with Scotland star Ferguson understood to be a top target. Now, they’ve been made aware of a potential path to get a deal done.
Rangers Star Connor Barron Eyed by Bologna
According to the Daily Record, Serie A giants are aware of interest in Ferguson and have once again added Rangers star Connor Barron to their wishlist of summer transfers.
Barron, who has been described as ‘brilliant’, joined Rangers on a free transfer in 2024, and had been targeted by the Italian outfit then, but opted to move to Ibrox instead. Bologna also tried to sign him last summer, but their enquiry was rejected by club chiefs in Glasgow.
Now they are looking at trying to bring him in once again, and Rangers could be open to a sale if it means they can sign the Bologna captain Ferguson as a result.
England have been dealt a major blow just hours ahead of their World Cup Last 16 clash with Mexico after a player was ruled out with injury.
The Three Lions are undefeated at the tournament having claimed wins over Croatia, Panama, and then DR Congo, while they drew with Ghana, but will take on co-hosts Mexico at the legendary Azteca Stadium in the early hours of Monday morning.
Thomas Tuchel has already admitted his team face a major disadvantage playing away from home in the altitude at such short notice, but they have now been handed another issue to deal with in the build-up to the huge clash.
The Tottenham Hotspur star has started two of England’s four games, playing at left-back against Ghana before starting at right-back against DR Congo. But with Reece James still unavailable due to a hamstring injury picked up against Ghana, and Jarrel Quansah nursing an injury of his own, the team now face a huge dilemma at right-back.
According to Dorsett, Quansah has been passed fit to play and is likely to start at right-back for the game, although there is also a chance that Arsenal star Declan Rice gets the nod following his performance in the latter stages against DR Congo in that position.
Tuchel has previously ruled out Rice playing there from the start at Mexico, but he may be left without any option if Quansah’s fitness means he is unable to play too.
Tuchel’s full-back options when he selected his squad were an immediate talking point, with many fans and media questioning his decisions.
Tino Livramento was sent home before the tournament with an injury, while James had barely featured in the second half of the season due to fitness problems, but was selected anyway. At left-back, Nico O’Reilly is naturally a midfielder, while Spence is naturally a right-back.
Now he has very limited choices to pick from, and Ezri Konsa or Trevoh Chalobah are likely to be called upon at some point to play out of position should England be able to progress past Mexico into the quarter-finals.
