England will confront more than the intense fervor of a united country when they take on Mexico at the legendary Azteca Stadium for a spot in the World Cup quarter-finals. They must also contend with the burden of historical precedent.

The mood in Mexico City had already reached a fever pitch well over a day ahead of the last-16 clash, as large screens lined the length of Paseo de la Reforma and vehicle horns echoed along the famous boulevard.

Mexicans have only one topic in mind: the events set to unfold in the Azteca pressure cooker on Sunday evening (Monday 01:00 BST), where England aim to stop the surge of momentum that has gripped the nation.

The fixture that will pause daily life across Mexico cannot arrive soon enough. Vendors selling team gear and mementos filled the areas around the Azteca on Saturday, while storms rumbled overhead near the venue.

All of this underscores the enormity of England's challenge against a Mexico team that has yet to concede in the tournament and has suffered just two competitive defeats in 88 matches at their revered home ground.

England reached Mexico on Friday night and have had minimal opportunity to prepare for the conditions they will encounter at the Azteca, situated 7,220 feet above sea level. They will deal with unfamiliar high-altitude effects after matches in the climate-controlled settings of Dallas and Atlanta, followed by games in Boston and New Jersey.

Even beyond these factors, England enter this challenging environment aware that Mexico, especially at the Azteca, has rarely been a favorable destination for them.

England had aimed to maintain secrecy about their base after Mexico supporters gathered around Ecuador's hotel during the last-32 stage, using horns, motorcycle noise and loudspeakers to cause disruption.

The effort proved unsuccessful as local fans gathered at England's accommodation, which featured extensive security measures following their arrival.

Head coach Thomas Tuchel appeared to embrace the setting and occasion during his comments at the Azteca, noting: "We saw the excitement and the emotions of the people when we arrived. They were emotional but also very, very respectful.

"We felt the energy of the place right away, the people on the streets. You can feel the excitement. This is a next-level setting.

"I felt straight away this would be a proper World Cup game. We are in an iconic place and an iconic stadium. It is just the biggest stage and we feel it."

He continued: "Mexico will give us a taste of the intensity, the heat and we must find solutions to that.

"It will be emotional and full of support for the home team. We are at a stadium that can create an atmosphere to the advantage of the home team and create momentum and belief, but we have very experienced players."

England's previous trip to the Azteca remains infamous due to Diego Maradona's Hand Of God goal that put Argentina ahead in the World Cup quarter-final, followed by a dazzling solo effort that completed their 2-1 victory.

Further back in 1970, Mexico hosted England under Sir Alf Ramsey during a troubled attempt to defend the World Cup title secured at Wembley four years earlier.

England's choice to import their own food supplies, some of which were held at customs though the fish fingers arrived, upset locals who value their welcoming traditions.

Mexican fans turned against England and the stern Ramsey, showing their feelings by backing the opposition in each match.

Before the tournament began, there was the notorious episode with England's captain Bobby Moore, accused of taking a bracelet from a shop at their hotel in Bogota, Colombia.

Concerns arose that Moore might miss the opening games, but he was freed without charges, even receiving support from then Prime Minister Harold Wilson.

England lost their grip on the Jules Rimet Trophy to West Germany in a quarter-final held in the intense heat of Leon, where they surrendered a two-goal lead and fell 3-2 after extra time.

The match has become notorious for claims that England's goalkeeper Gordon Banks was poisoned with a stomach issue now called "Montezuma's Revenge" the night before the game.

Peter Bonetti, a fine Chelsea keeper, replaced him and endured a difficult performance.

The episode fueled conspiracy theories about what affected Banks.

Some proposed that Banks, widely regarded as the top goalkeeper globally, was targeted to weaken the unpopular England side or, in later accounts, fell victim to an alleged CIA scheme to help Brazil win and support that nation's government.

The more straightforward explanation is that Banks added ice to his drinks, something players had been cautioned against to avoid contamination.

This brings the narrative to the present, with England fully conscious of the difficulties ahead in demanding conditions after advancing late thanks to captain Harry Kane in a 2-1 win over DR Congo in the last 32.

England have not appeared entirely assured thus far, showing defensive weaknesses, while Mexico delivered their strongest attacking showing of the tournament to defeat Ecuador 2-0.

Across Mexico City, anticipation builds as the match nears, with no way to avoid the growing excitement.

Gibran Araige Rodriguez, a Televisa reporter in Mexico, stated: "It is the most important football game in the life of Mexico. It is the most important game in the history of the Azteca.

"It is 40 years since Mexico reached the last eight of the World Cup and it is the dream of the whole country to do it this time.

"It is even more important that it is against such a big country like England. We see the Premier League and European leagues here, so we see Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham. They are some of the best players in the world."

He added: "Mexico is confident but never over-confident because this is England. The Mexico team is good and we have not conceded a goal."

He anticipates the atmosphere inside the Azteca will exceed the intensity seen during the victory over Ecuador.

"I have never seen the crazy moments with the fans that we saw against Ecuador," he said, "but I think if Mexico wins against England it will be even more."