Aguirre: I am sure we will beat England easily

Javier Aguirre has backed Mexico to beat England in the World Cup last 16, saying the noise inside Azteca can help his side through a difficult tie.

Mexico have won all four of their matches in the tournament without conceding, but Aguirre said the defence faces its toughest assignment yet against England captain Harry Kane.

Asked by Mexican journalists whether he felt deceived by a late change to kick-off time, Aguirre said he had simply been told the match would be moved and made clear he was not happy about it a day before the game. He added that the issue would not spread through the squad.

Aguirre is in his third spell as Mexico coach and will leave after the tournament. He said he has mixed emotions about Azteca, where he played for Mexico at the 1986 World Cup, but expects Thursday’s match to be the one he remembers most.

He called Kane a world-class striker and said Mexico would try to shut him down with their holding midfielders and deny him space to build attacks.