England captain Reece James has given an encouraging update on his troubled hamstring after the Three Lions came through their FIFA World Cup Round of 32 tie against DR Congo. Harry Kane scored twice late on to complete a come-from-behind 2-1 victory and set up a last-16 meeting with co-hosts Mexico. The 26-year-old Chelsea right-back could only watch on in Atlanta but genuinely sounded upbeat when he took time to speak to reporters in the mixed zone afterward.
The full-back has been dealing with this hamstring issue on and off for a few months. He has been working on the latest problem since March, an ongoing problem that has already cost him nine matches for club and country. James suffered the injury in England’s 0-0 draw with Ghana in the group stage and will be out for at least the next two World Cup games.
Speaking after beating Congo, Reece James said: “I’m ok, it’s alright.”
Many times, manager Thomas Tuchel has said that his captain is in good shape coming into the tournament and is getting better every single day. The German said James arrived in great shape and is pushing on in training, so a return remains firmly on the table.
England have been hit hard in that area with Djed Spence stepping in at right-back against DR Congo on Wednesday. Hamstring trouble meant back-up Tino Livramento pulled out before the opener, and Jarell Quansah then hurt his ankle in the win over Panama.
James is now desperate to be fit for England’s daunting knockout occasion against the hosts this weekend. It is one of the biggest decisions of the entire campaign as to whether Tuchel will take that risk with his captain at altitude.
What England Face vs Mexico at the Estadio Azteca
England’s reward for surviving that scare in Atlanta is a meeting with a Mexico side brimming with confidence in front of their own supporters. Javier Aguirre’s men have been absolutely ruthless so far, winning all three group games versus South Africa, South Korea and Czechia without conceding once. They maintained that perfect defensive record with a comfortable win over Ecuador in their own Round of 32 tie.
The Estadio Azteca was the venue of Diego Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal that knocked England out of the 1986 World Cup quarter-final. Remarkably, Mexico have only lost twice in competitive internationals at the iconic venue since it first opened back in 1966.
Altitude may be the biggest challenge for Tuchel’s players in the thin air of Mexico City. The Tri made the quarter-finals in 1970 and 1986, and they are desperate to repeat those proud achievements. England, on the other hand, recognise that a fully fit Reece James could be absolutely decisive against such dangerous and well-drilled opposition.