A plethora of challenges face England as they battle host Mexico on Sunday night in what will surely be a raucous atmosphere at Mexico City.

The World Cup group of 16 match will be played at 7,200-foot altitude in possible treacherous weather that nearly led to the match being pushed up six hours.

There also is fear of not getting a good night’s sleep as Mexico fans staged a crazy noisy scene complete with fireworks outside Ecuador’s hotel the night before Mexico’s 2-0 victory on Tuesday.

Then there’s this: Mexico’s national squad is 70-2-17 all-time at Estadio Azteca since it opened in 1966.

“It is maybe one of the most beautiful fixtures, the most exciting fixtures that you can have, to play against Mexico in the Azteca,” England coach Thomas Tuchel said. “And there will be a lot of obstacles waiting for us, not to mention the altitude will be, of course, a big disadvantage because we cannot physically adapt to it in four days. It’s just impossible.”

England is coming off a tightly-contested 2-1 win over DR Congo on Wednesday in Atlanta. The Three Lions are taking aim at reaching at least the quarterfinals for the third straight World Cup.

Mexico have their sights on reaching the quarterfinals for just the third time. They also advanced that far in 1970 and 1986.

But after outscoring opponents 8-0 over four World Cup matches, El Tri are optimistic the familiar surroundings can be the deciding asset.

“It’s a match everyone dreamed of — facing England in the Round of 16 in this stadium,” Mexico midfielder Alvaro Fidalgo said. “It’s probably one of the biggest games we are ever going to experience as players. We know they have good players; we know how they play. Their midfield is highly physical, above all. They have great players in every position. They are going to be great opponents.”

The Mexico defense will have to be keenly aware of Harry Kane’s whereabouts at all times.

The English star forward has scored five goals in this World Cup, tied for third with Norway star Erling Haaland entering play on Saturday. Argentina’s Lionel Messi leads the way with seven and France’s Kylian Mbappe is second with six.

Kane is aware the pursuit of victories only gets tougher the deeper you advance in the World Cup. He said it’s time for the club to dig down deep.

“There are still things to work on for sure and these rounds are just about getting through,” Kane said. “We are in the part of the tournament when you have to grind wins out, and that’s what we have done.”

Midfielder Jude Bellingham (two goals, one assist) is also enjoying a strong tournament.

Mexico doesn’t have a megastar like Kane but forwards Julian Quinones (three goals, one assist), Raul Jimenez (two goals) and Roberto Alvarado (three assists) are leading El Tri’s strong run.

“Our team is complete and competitive,” Quinones said. “We know what our goal is and we believe we can do it.”

Mexico coach Javier Aguirre sharply criticized officials on Friday for considering moving up the time so he’s surely happy that the night-time kickoff stayed put.

But Tuchel and his club still need to worry about getting some sleep on Saturday night amid a possible loud congregation.

“We will expect that but what can we do?” said Tuchel, indicating earplugs will be part of the sleeping regimen.

The winner faces either Brazil or Norway in the quarterfinals.

–Field Level Media

The Indiana Fever didn’t go away. They just haven’t played in more than a week.

They’re eager to get back on the court for Sunday’s game at the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces.

“The players are probably looking forward to it,” Indiana coach Stephanie White said. “Certainly, nobody likes to practice this much.”

After defeating the visiting Los Angeles Sparks 111-87 on June 27, the Fever (11-8) had ample practice time to prepare for their first meeting this season with the Aces (15-5).

Las Vegas spent Friday night earning a 98-90 home victory against the Chicago Sky, which marked the 500th win in franchise history.

“It has been fun to be part of the early days, but also the present day where I get the privilege to watch a lot of great brilliance out there,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said.

Indiana’s Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston have been selected as WNBA All-Star Game starters.

“I think it’s awesome,” White said.

Both sides could be missing some star power Sunday. Las Vegas center A’ja Wilson, also selected to be an All-Star starter, missed the team’s past two games with a leg injury. She averages a league-leading 25.7 points per game.

Clark, even with the Fever’s long layoff, won’t play Sunday in Las Vegas as she continues to rehabilitate a back injury. The Fever won both games Clark missed this season.

“But I’m feeling a lot better,” Clark said, expecting to play within the next week. She was the Eastern Conference’s Player of the Month for June.

With Clark out, it gives veteran guard Tyasha Harris a second consecutive start. Harris set season highs with 16 points and five rebounds in the team’s most recent game.

Former Fever player NaLyssa Smith had 29 points on 11-for-14 shooting Friday for the Aces. Las Vegas guard Chelsea Gray delivered clutch plays late in regulation and in overtime.

“It’s in her DNA,” Hammon said. “She likes the big moments.”

The Fever could have some new twists.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for us to continue to get better, to continue to add some things, to address some areas of slippage,” White said. “The opportunity to get in the gym and to really get to work has been really great for us, but certainly everybody is itching to get a game.”

Mitchell led Indiana in scoring the past two games, posting 30 and 26 points respectively in those outings.

This marks the beginning of a four-game road trip out west for the Fever.

–Field Level Media

No. 2 overall draft pick Darryn Peterson shined in his Summer League debut, scoring 28 points in 27 minutes to help the Utah Jazz notch a 103-102 overtime victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday at Salt Lake City.

Peterson has the microscope on him after a much-maligned one college season in which he dealt with repeated cramping issues and other injuries. The Jazz picked him after the Washington Wizards took BYU’s AJ Dybantsa at No. 1 in the draft,

Peterson made 11 of 21 field-goal attempts, including 4 of 7 from 3-point range, and also contributed five rebounds and two blocked shots. On the downside, he committed eight turnovers.

Peterson pointed out the game was his first since Kansas lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against St. John’s. He averaged 20.2 points last season but missed 11 of the Jayhawks’ 35 games.

“It felt great,” Peterson said. “I hadn’t played since my last game in March. Playing another basketball game, this is what I love to do.”

Utah’s next game is Monday against the Memphis Grizzlies, also on the University of Utah campus.

–Field Level Media