Marcus Rashford believes England's game management skills will be key when they face World Cup co-hosts Mexico in a blockbuster last-16 tie on Sunday.

After Harry Kane's brace averted a possible upset against DR Congo in the last 32, the Three Lions must make the arduous journey to the Estadio Azteca – around 2,200m above sea level – to face El Tri.

Mexico have never lost a World Cup match at the Azteca (W8 D2), winning their last six in a row at the iconic venue.

This will be the 11th time they have played there in the World Cup, which will make it the most games played at one venue by a team in the competition's history.

England impressed in their opening Group L match – a 4-2 win over Croatia – before limping to a goalless draw with Ghana and an uninspiring 2-0 win over Panama, prior to their fightback against DR Congo.

And Rashford knows Thomas Tuchel's men will have to dig deep if they are to progress amid a hostile atmosphere.

"It's going to be tough," Rashford said. "There are no easy games in the World Cup. Different teams bring different problems for us.

"The altitude obviously is a factor, but it's not something that we're worried about or anything like that. We're all experienced players. We have to manage the game."

Mexico could become just the second team in World Cup history to keep a clean sheet in their opening five matches of a single edition, after Italy in 1990 (five), who were also hosting the tournament that year and finished third.

"So far, they've shown they're difficult to score against," Rashford added. "They've been scoring goals, especially early on.

"It's a team that is set in their ways, in terms of their playing style. They're effective.

"There are lots of great teams in the tournament. If we want to get to the final and win it, we're going to have to come up against them and find a way to do it."

England are assigned a 40.5% chance of beating Mexico in 90 minutes, while El Tri hold a 31.5% win probability and the remaining 28% of simulations finished level, requiring extra time and potentially penalties. The Three Lions are assigned a 54.6% chance of advancing overall, compared to Mexico's 45.4%. 

Away from the World Cup, reports suggest Rashford is unlikely to see his stay at Barcelona made permanent, following the expiration of a €30m (£35m) clause in his loan deal from Manchester United.

But until England's campaign is over, Rashford is determined to put his club future to one side.  

"I live in the moment. I was very clear with everyone involved before the World Cup," Rashford said. 

"I wanted it done before, but if it's not, then I won't be dealing with it until after because I want to be fully present in this moment and at the same time, we're fighting to do something so special."