JOE HART was brutally brought back down to Earth after being told he won’t be heading to Mexico for England’s World Cup last 16 tie.
The Three Lions booked a Mexico City standoff with the co-hosts on Wednesday evening with a 2-1 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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Joe Hart got giddy at the prospect of watching England take on Mexico at the Azteca Stadium Credit: BBC
But he was quickly brought back down to Earth by former England and Man City team-mate Micah Richards Credit: BBC
BBC pundit and former England keeper Hart was over the moon at the prospect of seeing the match at the Azteca Stadium in person.
But he was brutally reminded by former Manchester City team-mate Micah Richards that he’ll be in the Beeb’s Salford studio for the game.
Hart said of the tie: “What an occasion. Honestly, get me in there.
“That will be absolutely [insane]. The atmosphere.”
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Richards interjected by asking Hart: “You know we’re in Salford?”
A hyped-up Hart responded by saying: “I don’t care, mate. Get me in the Azteca.
“The Mexican crowd, honestly, you’ve got to look forward to that, you’ve got to relish it.
“Everyone will try and build this up into something that’s impossible. But this team will believe.
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“And the energy in that stadium for that game, that is going to be super special.”
Co-hosts Mexico will have a significant advantage over Thomas Tuchel‘s troops due to the altitude at which the match will be played.
The Azteca Stadium is 1.4 MILES above sea level, which will have a huge effect on the players’ output.
Tuchel said of the altitude: I’m just coming from this match, and trying to enjoy.
“But it is maybe one of the most beautiful fixtures, most exciting fixtures than you can have.
Harry Kane’s second-half brace fired England into the last 16 of the World Cup Credit: AP
“You play against Mexico in the Azteca, and there will be a lot, a lot, 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 and more obstacles will maybe come. But we are ready for that, we need it maybe.
“We have the ideal platform now to genuinely believe that we are ready for that.
“And when the going gets tough, that we will find the answers.”
