Cesar Montes left Mexico’s Round of 16 match against England at halftime at Estadio Azteca, replaced by Edson Alvarez. The change came after a first half that looked to carry injury concern for the typically steady Mexico captain, who had previously missed a m
The halftime break came with a jolt for Mexico at Estadio Azteca.
Cesar Montes. the team’s captain. had to make way at halftime of the Round of 16 match against England after nursing a potential injury that appeared to limit him in the first 45 minutes. He was replaced at left center back by Edson Alvarez. who took the captain’s armband and moved into the back line next to Johan Vásquez.
In the first half, Montes’ most noticeable moment arrived on a free kick where he was nearly able to get on the end of it near the back. England attacker Jude Bellingham intervened with a remarkable clearance—his raised leg beating Montes to the ball.
This was not just another substitution for Montes. The 2026 World Cup has been turbulent for the typically steady defender. He received a red card late in El Tri’s 2-0 win over South Africa to open the tournament. which meant he was suspended for Mexico’s win over Korea. He returned for Mexico’s win against Czechia, when the team largely played an alternate lineup.
Montes then took the captain’s armband again and played all 90 minutes of Mexico’s Round of 32 victory against Ecuador.
Now, with the Round of 16 underway and the adjustment coming at halftime, Mexico’s back line had to reorganize around Alvarez stepping in for the captain beside Vásquez.
The broader tournament backdrop is already unforgiving: once the knockout stage begins, the 32 remaining teams enter a single-elimination tournament. Each round halves the field until a winner is crowned. with the only exception being that the two semifinal losers play a third-place game ahead of the World Cup final.
For Mexico, the question is immediate and physical—how quickly Montes can recover—because the match at Estadio Azteca continues with Alvarez wearing the armband and joining Vásquez in the center of the defensive line.
Cesar Montes Edson Alvarez Mexico vs England World Cup 2026 Estadio Azteca Johan Vásquez Jude Bellingham Round of 16
Halftime subs always mean injury drama. Poor Montes.
Wait so Bellingham kicked the ball away and then Montes got hurt?? That’s crazy. Mexico can’t catch a break in this World Cup.
I swear captains always get replaced right when the refs start calling stuff. If he was “nursing” it in the first half then why not just take him out sooner? Also Edson Alvarez sounds like a baseball player name lol.
This is why I don’t trust Mexico’s defense. One red card, then he comes back, then at Azteca he’s limping again… and now the armband changes hands?? Single elimination or whatever doesn’t matter if they keep tinkering at halftime. I don’t even know who Alvarez is but he’s probably gonna get cooked by Bellingham anyway.