Watching the clash between England and Mexico at the Azteca Stadium left an indelible mark on fans. Those present will carry the vivid memories of that remarkable night with them forever. What began as an unplanned outing transformed into a momentous occasion, filled with exhilarating highlights.
Even in defeat, joyous celebrations erupted across Mexico City as fans basked in the aftermath, perhaps relieved to have survived the emotional upheaval that the match delivered.
Goals, penalties, a sending-off, and high-stakes drama defined the encounter. England managed to withstand the fervent backing of the Mexican fans, who passionately filled the stadium. My only regret is that I didn’t fully seize the moment as it deserved.
Positioned near the top of the stadium in the Mexican section, I was engulfed by the enthusiasm surrounding me. Every supporter was expected to wave a Mexican flag, but ours had been taken before we arrived, delayed by a queue at the tequila bar. In retrospect, sitting further back proved advantageous, reducing the likelihood of being doused with beer from behind.
The PA system encouraged the crowd to ‘There was a scramble to get the boys to school’ although such encouragement was unnecessary, as thunder rolled ominously in the background. The match felt akin to being tossed about in a small boat during a tempest; just as things began to calm, another wave of excitement would crash over us. There were no Mexican waves—only shock and awe at the unfolding events. To me, the World Cup resembles a dramatic soap opera, brimming with heroes, villains, and unexpected twists. When the final whistle blew, the Mexican crowd was left in stunned silence. Paul, 66, a writer from Surrey now residing in Auckland, New Zealand.
‘I have never felt so anxious’
My husband and I, along with our two sons, aged eight and six, enjoyed the match from home. We set an alarm for 12:45 am, hoping to steal an extra hour due to a delayed kickoff. We finally woke the boys at 1:50 am and settled in to watch. My father, on vacation in Spain and without access to the match, joined us via FaceTime; we pointed the iPad at our laptop streaming the BBC coverage while watching from the lounge, with the boys excitedly running to update grandad during key moments!
After the match concluded, we successfully got the boys back to bed, though I had to join them as they wound down from the adrenaline of an incredible win. These moments were priceless, especially since they are keen football fans. This morning, they woke up late at 8 am, leading to a frantic rush to get to school after catching highlights of Brazil’s game and checking their fantasy football league standings! Both my husband and I are self-employed, so we’ve reserved the day for administrative tasks, ensuring we avoid heavy thinking. Early bedtimes await all of us tonight. Jem, 42, a designer and university lecturer from Wakefield, UK.
‘I know how this plays out, I’
I attempted to nap at 10 pm but couldn’t drift off, so when my alarm went off at 12:30 am, I headed to a friend’s house nearby. We have watched every England match together during recent tournaments, but the delayed start forced us to alter our plans. Instead, I chose to watch from the conservatory on my laptop, as it was the farthest room from where my family was sleeping.
Throughout the game, I experienced an unprecedented level of anxiety. In the final 30 minutes, I felt overwhelmed; I muttered, ‘When England won, it was utter bliss’ when the red card was shown and Mexico was awarded their penalty.
I took frequent nervous bathroom breaks and was thankful I chose to skip the beer! The final whistle brought a rush of exhilaration, coinciding with the first light of dawn. I sneaked back upstairs hoping for some sleep. I managed about three hours before taking a quick 30-minute nap, but I plan to power through the day with coffee, tea, and a grin. I need to take my daughter swimming after school, and my bedtime will be at 7:30 pm. I’m thrilled to have witnessed the match live; it was such a memorable event, and I would have been devastated to miss it. Tom Canning, 42, a freelance digital content producer and beer festival founder from Berkshire, UK.
“We have a very sad history with this stadium, today we can leave in peace.”s tears – this was more dramatic’
As a Brit currently working in Tokyo for the year, I watched the match at home using a VPN on iPlayer. Earlier group matches had kicked off at either 1 am or 4 am, so I can now relate to friends back home who feel drained after such an emotionally intense performance from England. Norway will soon revert to a 4 am kickoff for me.
At 18, I vividly recall Gazza’s tears during the 1990 World Cup, but this match was even more dramatic.
A friend, Matt, was present at the Azteca, and I spotted him on television singing Wonderwall. It may be a cliché, but the World Cup genuinely connects us all. Observing a good friend experience the same emotions from thousands of miles away is something truly special. Toby Peggs, 54, a tech startup CEO from Tokyo.
‘We would have been happy with either result’
I watched the match from my hometown of Mar del Plata in Argentina. As a Spurs fan, I have long supported Harry Kane, which made it easy to cheer for him from afar.
The match kicked off at 10 pm. It was a tough game, but the brilliance of Jude and Harry propelled England to a 2-1 lead at halftime. When England emerged victorious, it was pure bliss. Although I’m not English, I connect with what Thomas Tuchel stated.
‘My first interaction was with a fan lambasting the hydration break’
My affection for England traces back to my childhood when I listened to my mother play the Beatles and read The Lord of the Rings. My early exposure to World Cup matches was limited due to historical biases against supporting England. However, as a teenager, my love for English bands encouraged me to embrace the national team.
Support for the team grew with the inclusion of Kane, Dier, Dele, and Trippier in the 2018 squad, whom I fondly refer to as “my boys.” My enthusiasm has persisted, as I followed the Euros and shed tears over lost finals. I consistently root for the national team and its players, often with more passion than I do for my own country’s athletes.
While my support began with Kane, it has expanded to include all players. Gordon, in particular, made a significant impact yesterday. When England plays, I’m always ready to cheer for Rice, Saka, and Eze. Hernán, who works in digital sales, Argentina.
‘It was a wild game’
I’m in Stockholm visiting friends from Sweden whom I met while living in South Africa. Another friend from Australia joined us, and we all support Norway now. I woke around 4 am, saw the score (2-1), and had to turn on the TV in my hotel room, despite worrying about the long journey home. Ultimately, I’m glad I did; it was a wild game! I even managed to catch an hour or two of sleep before the allure of the breakfast buffet got me out of bed. Clara, in her fifties, a communications manager from Cheltenham.
‘We would have been happy with either result’
We watched the match at our local pub in Mexico City. Surrounded by fans in green shirts, my 12-year-old son proudly wore his England shirt, being half English and half Mexican. He celebrated England’s first goal before dramatically switching sides and supporting Mexico for a while. The tension was palpable throughout the match, but ultimately we would have been content with either outcome. Mexico has been a fantastic host for the World Cup, and the enthusiasm of the fans was clear. The atmosphere in Mexico City last night was electric, and England performed admirably. Julia, 42, who works in education, Mexico.
‘My first interaction was with a fan lambasting the hydration break’
I initially watched the match at home before stepping outside during halftime. My local sports bar in Berlin was closed, but I found a gathering of English football supporters at Hackescher Markt. I arrived at the Kilkenny Pub just before Kane took his penalty. My first interaction was with a fan criticizing the hydration break (Trinkpause in German), who wasted no time accusing the United States, my home country, of lacking history and culture. In that moment, I knew I had found the right place to witness this historic game. I find that when I stay up too late, the following day can be just as challenging as the late night itself. A bit of Red Bull and determination will carry me through. Patrick, 40, a professor and writer from Berlin.
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