Aguirre vows best is yet to come as Mexico target England upset at Azteca farewell

Javier Aguirre has warned England that his Mexico side will produce their finest performance in Sunday’s World Cup Round of 16 tie at the Azteca Stadium, with the 67-year-old coaching the iconic venue for the last time before stepping down after the tournament.

Aguirre, in his third spell as Mexico head coach, is set to be replaced by former Barcelona defender Rafael Márquez once the World Cup concludes. That knowledge, rather than weighing on him, appears to have sharpened his resolve. “I have many different feelings in my heart,” he said. “But the best is yet to come. Tomorrow will be a wonderful day.”

The veteran coach spoke of the personal significance of the occasion, noting that while his parents would not be present, his two granddaughters would be in the stands. “Listening to the national anthem will go with me,” he added. “None of them are more important than another, but the best is tomorrow — I’m sure.”

On England’s top scorer Harry Kane, Aguirre was respectful but tactical. “Harry Kane is a world star. The goals he has scored with the team and with Bayern Munich — he’s a top, top player in the world. He’s tall, good at defending, and the captain. Of course we will try to neutralise him with our defensive midfielders and try to keep him uncomfortable so he can’t build any pace.”

Aguirre also addressed the controversy surrounding FIFA’s decision to move the kick-off time, which he had previously described as “a kick in the stomach”. FIFA ultimately reversed course and retained the 6pm local time slot after widespread criticism, though storms are still forecast in Mexico City. The coach was keen to draw a line under the episode. “Fooled? I was told the match would be played at a different time and I said I wasn’t happy with the change. A day before the match, it was inconvenient — and that’s all I said. I wasn’t looking for attention. Both things were sorted out. Those things went unnoticed for the players.”

Aguirre insisted his squad remained focused and undistracted. “You can rest assured those things are spreading through the group — they’re prepared, strong and ready to play a good match tomorrow.”

With the Azteca hosting its final World Cup fixture and a nation expecting, Aguirre is framing the match as a personal and collective peak. Whether England, who enter as favourites, can silence both the stadium and its departing coach remains to be seen on Sunday night.