England World Cup philosophy, made famous in the NBA, faces agonising examination at Mexico altitude

England’s World Cup philosophy of “pounding the rock,” popularized through the NBA by the San Antonio Spurs, is being tested under Mexico altitude and humidity as they prepare to face Mexico at the Azteca Stadium on Sunday. After England twice overcame pressure against Congo DR—drawing level through Harry Kane before Kane scored the winner with five minutes remaining—coach Thomas Tuchel pointed to patience and persistence during a halftime hydration break. The approach draws on a 19th-century Jacob Riis stonecutter quote, later adopted by Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and displayed in their locker room after a 2013 NBA final loss. Tuchel linked the mindset to other sports, including Netflix documentation on Rafa Nadal’s 21 titles. The concern is timing and execution: England cannot allow the “rock” to build early against Mexico.