The usually tranquil streets of Mexico City were awash with the vibrant energy of a thousand fireworks as local supporters attempted to rouse England's World Cup squad from their slumber. It was a brazen, if misguided, bid to disrupt the team's preparations for Sunday's crunch match against co-hosts Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium – but how successful were they in doing so?
Footage of fans chanting and setting off pyrotechnics in a nearby street quickly went viral on social media, but according to sources close to the England camp, it was all just background noise. The team had long since retired for the night, undisturbed by the commotion outside.
The scene was one of high drama, with police in riot gear marshalling fans and keeping a keen eye on anyone attempting to get too close to the hotel. It's a measure that's become all too familiar for teams visiting Mexico in recent weeks – after Ecuador lodged a formal complaint with FIFA last week following their own disrupted sleep.
The security detail was, understandably, on high alert as England's players prepared to depart for training on Saturday, where they received a mixed reception from waiting fans. But despite the pre-match mayhem, Thomas Tuchel remained characteristically calm and collected, dismissing concerns about his team's treatment in Mexico with a wry smile. "It's been nicer than I thought it would be," he said – though perhaps that was just diplomacy at play.