'It's going to be mental' - atmosphere sizzles ahead of Mexico v England

MEXICO CITY, July 5 : Mexico City is dressed in green. Across this capital of 9 million people, crowds gather, tension builds and belief swells ahead of one of the most anticipated matches of the World Cup - Mexico v England at the Azteca stadium.

Along the city's central boulevard, barricades are up and traffic stopped, awaiting hundreds of thousands of fans to watch the game on massive screens dotting Reforma Avenue.  

Around the iconic Azteca, everyone is talking history. 

"This match means everything," said Adriana Martinez, 28, wearing white cowboy boots tied with ribbons in the green, red and white of the Mexican flag. "History will be made here today."

The weight of the past hangs heavy for both England and Mexico. For England, the memory of losing to Diego Maradona's mischievous brilliance at the Azteca in 1986. For Mexico, the curse that has seen the side fail to reach a World Cup quarter-final for 40 years. Each side hopes to lay those demons to rest on Sunday.

"Whoever scores today will be a legend forever," said 12-year-old Noa, attending the match with his dad. 

In the backstreets around the stadium, riot police have their shoes shined, out of sight but ready. A lonely group of Jehovah's Witnesses tries to convert passersby, but the sea of green shirts already know what they are praying for. 

Belief here has built with every passing Mexico game. Bigger and bigger crowds have poured on to the streets to celebrate each victory, with over a million people across the capital after Mexico's win over Ecuador. Accompanying the infectious optimism has been the mantra "Y si sí?"... "What if?" 

It is a remarkable turnaround for a team regarded as so bereft of stars before the competition that advertisers chose to rely on