England v Mexico LIVE: Kick-off delayed by ‘severe weather’ around World Cup last-16 clash

The teams are in the tunnel.

I’m excited for the collective groan when there is a hydration break. The real feel temperature for Mexico City is presently 7c

15 minutes before kick-off, an Azteca dance cam to ‘El Sonidito’ has fans absolutely rocking – you can literally feel the stadium vibrating.

If the matche is pushed back further, pubs risk having to chuck punters out mid-game with extended hours only going up to 5am on Monday.

Pubs in England and Wales are allowed to stay open until 5am on Monday, Keir Starmer announced last week. Licensing hours had already been extended for the World Cup from 11pm to 1am for games with kick-offs from 5pm up to 9pm and up until 2am for kick-offs between 9pm and 10pm.

Ally Wolf, general manager at the Clapham Grand told The Independent: “We’re going to put all of our trust in the Mexican weather. Failing that we’re going to put all of our trust in Keir Starmer that he’s so desperate to end on such a high that he personally is going to make a few phone calls and authorise all of us to continue to stay open until our wonderful football team bring it home.”

Solbakken said: “I think that is a big mistake by Fifa, I think it is not a great conclusion that he has got a red card and the VAR concluded it was a red card, he was sent off, that means you are suspended for one game and I think what is really bad about that situation is it will be only United States now.

“If Norway go to the quarter-finals I’ll go to the River Mersey and I’ll row down,” Wayne Rooney tells BBC Sport before Norway beat Brazil to reach the last eight.

“I’m a man of my word, Micah has agreed to do it with me. And Gabby [Logan] has as well. They’ve agreed to.

“I’ll row, that’s no problem, it might have to be the Hudson River in New York, if BBC can sort that?”

Micah Richards adds: “It makes a mockery of the whole tournament, if that happens tonight, you’ve done it for Ronaldo and Balogun, it’s to keep the big stars in the competition, we all know what it is. How can that happen? We have to be real about it.

“Fifa need to do better. We have to be honest about the situation, it’s left a bad taste in a lot of people’s mouths. When the integrity comes into question, for that to happen, it’s just not good enough.”

England’s outfield players are now out for their wam-ups – to the sound of boos and Vindaloo.

Speaking to the BBC before the delay was confirmed, he said: “I haven’t [prepared], we can’t influence it, we adapt while it’s coming. We’ll see, let’s wait and see until any delays are announced and adapt.”

On the altitude, he adds: “I was a bit out of breath in my meetings. Maybe it’s altitude, maybe it’s tension. First night didn’t sleep so well, second night was easier. Let’s play the match. First 15 or 20 minutes we might feel it. After that we will be fine.”

On Saka and Gordon starting, he says: “Why not? Last game Noni and Rashy started. For me it was very clear to do a rotation there. Top players for us. We need all 16 to push us over the line.”