Alan Shearer makes agonising prediction for England World Cup clash against Mexico

Alan Shearer fears England fans will be in for a tension-filled morning with their World Cup last 16 tie against Mexico set to go the distance.

The co-hosts have enjoyed a stress-free run thus far, winning all four games without even conceding a goal.

Playing at their iconic Azteca Stadium offers another huge advantage, especially given the game will be played at altitude, 2,400 metres above sea level.

England, by contrast, haven’t had thing all their own way up to this point with Thomas Tuchel having to contend with a number of injuries to key players.

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Reece James is again set to miss out with the Chelsea right-back nursing a hamstring strain, while Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka have been nursed through the tournament.

The continual upheaval has resulted in a series of unconvincing displays, the most recent of which came earlier this week when the Three Lions required a late brace from Harry Kane to secure a 2-1 comeback win over DR Congo.

Despite the difficulty of the challenge that lies ahead, former England captain Alan Shearer told Betfair Tuchel’s men have what it takes to knock the hosts out, even if it requires a penalty shootout.

He told Betfair: ‘Mexico have looked really good. I think they were really, really good against Ecuador in their last game.

‘I think they overpowered them. It looked as if Ecuador didn’t know what was coming and they hit them early and the game was pretty much over. And that’s what England are going to have to be wary of because if they get in front, it’ll be difficult to peg them back.

‘But when you look at some of the players that Mexico have got, you think, yeah, they’re good, but as I keep going back to it is that the conditions might just even itself out.

‘Well, they might not have as much ability as this England team, but we haven’t seen the best of England as yet and let’s hope that happens on Monday.

‘They’ve only lost twice there in so many years in the Azteca. I get that. But if you look at the quality of the opposition that they’ve played, vast majority of time hasn’t been great. I think England know they’re going into a really tough game.

‘They’re going into a really tough environment with the conditions, with the environment. That levels everything up, I think. So, it’s a tough one to call. Yeah, mentally, physically is going to be tough for England and they’re going to have to be at their very, very best to get through, which we haven’t seen yet. So, let’s hope that they’re saving their best for Mexico.

‘I’m not going to predict England to be beaten. I think it could be a really long evening. I think this could be the first time England go to penalties, extra time and then penalties. So, I’m going to say it will be a very long night/morning for you guys’ back home. And I’m going to go England win on penalties.

‘I got the last prediction right when I said England would win 2-1 against DR Congo. So, I hope I’m wrong in terms of everyone’s nerves and how late it’ll be or early in the early hours of the morning. But I have a feeling it could be a long morning/night for us.

‘If I was at home and not out in America, I would have arranged to be in a pub with my pals. I would be going super late in terms of 9 or 10 o’clock, having a couple of pints before kick-off just to ease the nerves. I would definitely be in a pub somewhere if I was back home with my pals.’