The historic Mexico City Stadium bids farewell to this edition of the FIFA World Cup on Saturday evening local time, as it hosts the anticipated clash between Mexico and England.

The two teams meet in a highly anticipated match in the Round of 16 of the World Cup currently being held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, as both seek to secure a spot in the quarter-finals.

German Thomas Tuchel, head coach of England, said: 'It's a fitting moment to make peace with this stadium. He will reward us.'

Tuchel's remarks came after England's hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo last Wednesday in the Round of 32, setting up a meeting with Mexico in the next round in Mexico City.

Tuchel spoke about 'Mexico City Stadium' as if it were a living being, capable of reward and punishment. This statement alone shows how deeply the stadium's history is rooted in the memory of those who were once just fans, or grew up on stories passed down by predecessors, and now write their own chapters on the global stage.

Before this edition, the last World Cup match hosted by this legendary stadium was the 1986 World Cup final, when the late Argentine star Diego Maradona reached the pinnacle of glory with his national team after setting up the title-winning goal for his teammate Jorge Burruchaga against West Germany.

In that same edition, England lost to the 'Tango dancers' (Argentina) in the quarter-finals in an unforgettable match. Today, the two stories intersect again, with Tuchel admitting that he believes in 'karma' – that what one sows, they later reap.

Even then, the Mexican crowd had mastered the art of intimidating opponents. They helped spread the 'Mexican wave' globally, an idea that originated in the United States, and their vocal power and collective rhythm showed their ability to move the entire stadium at will. They also added chants that became part of popular culture and remain present today.

Mexico coach Aguirre believes that playing in Mexico City gives extra strength (AFP)

Although many of the stadium's greatest moments did not go to the home side, the relationship between Mexico's fans and the stadium has developed over the years into a kind of complete unity.

After a four-year renovation project that preserved the stadium's spirit, Mexico City Stadium (formerly Azteca) hosted 80,824 spectators in each of coach Javier Aguirre's team's three matches, with very limited attendance from opposing fans, creating an atmosphere and pressure on opponents even before the opening whistle.

Aguirre, praising the importance of fan support, said in statements reported by FIFA's official website: 'The biggest difference, without a doubt, is playing at home. They are our 12th player. We know the whole country is behind us, and that gives us immense motivation.'

Mexico has won all four of its World Cup matches so far, sparking wild celebrations on the pitch. After a 2-0 win over Ecuador, photos and videos spread of players singing and hugging fans, raising a simple question: Were the fans singing to the players, or were the players singing to the fans?

The fans interact enthusiastically with the team, constantly chanting famous national songs.

The impact of the atmosphere and stadium has become a major topic of discussion in both countries. Speaking on the BBC, former English international stars Joe Hart and Wayne Rooney warned that playing at this historic stadium in front of such passionate fans will be England's toughest test in the tournament.

Mexican stands... the hosts' most prominent weapon against the English (Reuters)

For his part, Javier Hernández stated on Fox Sports, speaking about the importance of playing at the historic Azteca Stadium: 'What that legendary stadium represents, and the atmosphere you feel when it's filled with Mexicans. Additionally, the pitch is difficult due to the altitude and the physical fatigue it causes. Of course, that makes the task even harder.'

The visual archives, the stories of that era, and the events themselves have created an aura of mystery around this giant edifice that has opened its doors to the world once again. Ahead of the Round of 16 clash, which will be the last match of the tournament on Mexican soil before the competition moves entirely to the United States, the anticipation has reached its peak.

Tuchel revealed, referring to some challenges awaiting his team against Mexico: 'We will face an entire country, and we will play in front of a full stadium on their home turf.'

This comes as Mexico has not lost any World Cup match on home soil, with its last defeat there dating back to 2013 against Honduras in the final round of CONCACAF qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Álvaro Fidalgo wrote on his Instagram account after scoring his first goal for Mexico against the Czech Republic: 'Once you choose it, it never leaves you.'

He may be referring to the Mexican national team, but the phrase also applies to 'Mexico City Stadium' itself: whoever sets foot on this green rectangle falls under its spell forever.