Thunderstorm pushes Mexico versus England World Cup last-16 kickoff back one hour in Mexico City

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Sunday night’s World Cup round of 16 fixture between Mexico and England started an hour later than planned after a thunderstorm swept across Estadio Azteca.

Kickoff moved from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time as organisers waited for conditions to ease around the venue.

For Mexico, it was the second weather-related setback of the tournament. El Tri’s round of 32 meeting with Ecuador on Tuesday was also held back by one hour because of similar storm activity.

FIFA had earlier considered bringing Sunday’s start forward to noon in light of the forecast, but kept the original evening slot.

The delay is the third significant weather incident at this World Cup. On June 22, the France versus Iraq group-stage match in Philadelphia was interrupted for two hours at halftime because of severe conditions.