If England take care of business against DR Congo, Mexico await. At the Azteca.
If that doesn’t get the juices flowing, then football probably isn’t for you.
Mexico did not resemble a nation celebrating its first World Cup knockout victory since 1986. It looked like one expecting more.
Four games. Four wins. Eight goals scored. None conceded.
The Azteca remains one of football’s great fortresses. In 89 competitive matches at their preferred home, Mexico have now lost only twice. Visiting teams do not simply face 11 players in green. They face altitude, heat, noise and an atmosphere capable of turning every tackle, clearance and shot into a defining moment.
Host nations can gather a force that statistics struggle to quantify at World Cups. Every victory strengthens belief. Mexico appear to be riding that wave at exactly the right time.
The challenge awaiting England, if they get there, could be a football match of epic proportions.