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England faces Mexico at ‘monster’ stadium where El Tri has yet to concede a goal at this World Cup
By Carlos Rodríguez, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 4, 2026
· 5 min read
Mexico has spent 40 years chasing a return to the World Cup quarterfinals. On Sunday, their best chance in a generation arrives. Playing on home soil in a venue that has become an almost impregnable fortress, El Tri will face England in the round of 16 — in what is arguably the most important mat...
Key takeaway “The stadium is a monster; that explains the high number of wins and draws, and the few losses — which were just accidents,” said Hugo Sánchez, the legendary striker who played in the 1986 World Cup and now serves as an ESPN analyst.
Why this matters in The Pearland
For Pearland residents with Mexican heritage, Sunday's match between Mexico and England is more than just a game - it's a chance to see their national team break a decades-long curse. Many in the community have family ties to Mexico and have been eagerly following El Tri's progress in the World Cup. The team's impressive record at the Estadio Azteca, with only two defeats in official matches since 1966, has ignited hopes that this could be the year they finally reach the quarterfinals again. As the Mexican community in Pearland gathers to watch the match, they will be cheering on a team that has become a source of national pride, and hoping that this generation of players can achieve what their predecessors could not. The outcome of the match will undoubtedly be felt in Pearland, where the city's diverse community will be celebrating or commiserating together.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 4, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Mexico has spent 40 years chasing a return to the World Cup quarterfinals. On Sunday, their best chance in a generation arrives. Playing on home soil in a venue that has become an almost impregnable fortress, El Tri will face England in the round of 16 — in what is arguably the most important mat...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 4, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Carlos Rodríguez, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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