Southgate Hopes England Overcome Azteca Stadium Ghosts
England returns to Estadio Azteca for the first time in 40 years to face Mexico in the 2026 World Cup Round of 16, seeking to overcome painful memories of Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal that eliminated them in 1986.
England manager Thomas Southgate hopes to lead the Three Lions past the pain of World Cup memories at Estadio Azteca, where Diego Maradona's infamous "Hand of God" goal eliminated England in 1986. England faces Mexico in the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup at the same symbolic stadium where they suffered a 1-2 quarterfinal defeat to Argentina four decades ago. The match is notable for Maradona's infamous "Hand of God" moment, when the Argentine legend used his hand to score against England. As England prepares to return to this stadium for the first time in 40 years to face Mexico in the 2026 World Cup Round of 16, Southgate said: "The moment you walk in, you feel the excitement and emotion instantly. I can feel immediately this will be a true World Cup match tomorrow." Southgate acknowledged the historical pain, stating: "We know already. We are in an iconic place, an iconic stadium. It hurts. It still hurts. But we did not come here for revenge." He added: "It is the same stadium, but not the same opponent. It makes no sense. We are here to write our own chapter."
