ENGLAND suffered their third defeat in a row on this tour with this match in Mexico probably the most disappointing result of all. Having been well beaten in Brazil and Peru, they were looking to do better against a Mexican side not generally considered one of South America's strongest.

England kicked-off under a blazing sun and in the rarified air of Mexico City. Bobby Charlton was quickly in the action forcing a good save from Carbajal low down. The Mexicans who favoured a square passing style made little headway against the England defence despite enjoying most of the possession. After ten minutes, Billy Wright was forced into heading a dangerous Mexican centre over his own crossbar to rescue his side whilst at the other end, Derek Kevan put in a header which was well held by the goalkeeper.

Then after 17 minutes, England took the lead. A corner was swung over and this time Kevan made his header count. This stung Mexico into retaliation and Reyes shot wide in one attack. England always looked likely to break dangerously though and Charlton almost added a second goal with a typical effort which flew just past Carbajal's post.

In the 23rd minute, Mexico made a change in their line-up when they brought on Jasso as substitute for Ponce. This move soon paid handsome dividends as three minutes later the home side equalised. Again the goal stemmed from a corner and this time it was Cardenas who ran in to beat Eddie Hopkinson from eight yards with a header.

In the 31st minute, England also made a substitution with Ron Flowers replacing Wilf McGuiness and later in the half two fine saves by Carbajal foiled two more England goal attempts. In the opening seconds of the second half, Jimmy Greaves netted following a pass from Kevan but unfortunately the referee disallowed the goal for offside.

That was crucial because a minute after that incident, Mexico took the lead. González had the England defence all over the place and his final pass found the unmarked Reyes who had an easy task to score from close range. The earlier poise of the visitors' defence was now gone and Mexico had most of the play in the remaining period.

Warren Bradley replaced Doug Holden in the 57th minute but it was Wright who saved England again with another timely intervention of a dangerous Mexico attack. At this stage the Mexicans were well on top and missed several fine opportunities to add to their score.

So, in the end it was another disappointing display from a very jaded England team. They had now won only two of their last 14 games.
  

England scored first through Derek Kevan, but were burned out within an hour of kicking off in high-altitude ciudad de México. Despite officially using substitutes for the first time they were run off their feet in the last 30 minutes. Jimmy Greaves swept the ball into the net just after half-time, but the referee ruled it off-side. Moments later Mexico snatched a second goal and from then on England were on the retreat as they struggled to breathe in Mexico's thin air. Eddie Hopkinson performed wonders in the England goal, but he was often confused by the flight of the ball. Wilf McGuinness was the first player to be substituted after half an hour. He was affected by the heat and had to go to the dressing-room for an emergency intake of oxygen. Doug Holden was the next player hit by the heat, and he was replaced in the fifty-seventh minute by Warren Bradley. It was a match that Ronnie Clayton would never forget. He had been so badly burned while sunbathing that his back came up in a mass of blisters. They burst during the game, and in the dressing-room afterwards the Mexican doctor bathed the Blackburn skipper's back with mentholated spirits. It was this more than anything that finally convinced the Football Association that they should follow Walter Winterbottom's advice and always travel with a team doctor. It was hardly the best organised tour. Ron Flowers at one stage found himself sharing a hotel room with six complete strangers!
  

After this depressing start to the tour, McGuinness and Kevan were included in the side to meet Mexico; two substitutions were also made during the course of the match. This time England started well, and deserved the lead which Kevan gave them when he headed home Haynes's pass in the 17th minute. They failed, however, to take full advantage of their early superiority, and slumped when Cardenas headed in Del Áugila's corner—a rather easy equaliser. Mexico's winning goal came early in the second half, when Reyes scored from a pass by González. During further attacks the Mexicans hit a post and, despite a late rally by England, they were worthy winners. Reyes was the architect of the Mexican victory, but the whole team played fast and accurate football suitable to the conditions. Again Clayton and Greaves proved to be England's best players, but as in the previous matches, there were too many weaknesses elsewhere.