BBC SPORT | Football | World Cup 2006 | Teams | England

But while the ex-Real Madrid striker is impressed by Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad, Sanchez still rates Brazil as the favourites to win the competition.

"England have a very good team and are one of the sides capable of reaching the final and playing Brazil," Sanchez told BBC Sport.

"But Brazil are just a bit better than all the other sides here."

England struggled in the heat during their 1-0 win over Paraguay.

And Sanchez also saw Mexico put on an unconvincing performance as they opened their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Iran on Sunday.

He added: "The first game in the World Cup is difficult and the most important thing is the three points."

Sanchez, 48, was famed for his somersault goal celebrations and played in Real Madrid's version of the Galacticos during his playing days.

The first game in the World Cup is difficult and the most important thing is the three points

Hugo Sanchez

The permed forward helped the club to five consecutive league titles while he was at the Bernebau Stadium between 1985 and 1992.

But he managed only one goal in eight World Cup outings, which spanned three competitions, when he was the main star of a Mexican national team lacking quality in depth.

Sanchez is more hopeful of the current crop, although he remains cautious as he cites the challenges ahead if Mexico are to progress in Germany.

"I don't know how far we can get because if we pass the group stage then theoretically we will play Holland or Argentina," he said. "That will be very hard.

"If we win that, it is possible we can reach the semi-finals.

"The key players for us are Oswaldo Sanchez, Rafael Marquez, Gerardo Torrado, Pavel Pardo and Jared Borgetti.

"But Borgetti is injured and I don't know how many days he will be out.

"These players are the backbone of the side."

Sanchez added: "The European style is difficult for Mexico because of the aerial threat."