Mexico's Beautiful World Cup

And England's hard-earned victory

At midnight, after the awe-inspiring Mexico-England game in the holy Azteca stadium, fans of both teams were still singing, dancing, spraying foam and drinking (a shit load) together round the Cibeles fountain of Mexico City, switching between swaying to Oasis Don’t Look Back In Anger, and joining in chants of “Mexico, Mexico.” It was a beautiful moment in a beautiful World Cup here, that ran from the opening ceremony on June 11, though 13 games in three cities, to this climactic battle at seven-thousand feet. (The rest of the games are in Canada and the United States, where it’s getting spicy with President Trump intervening over a red card).

Some people had expressed concern that if England won, its fans could be in danger of getting beaten up in Mexico. I personally wondered how Mexicans would react if their fantastic run was toppled, thinking back to England losses when brokenhearted supporters rioted in the center of London. But the opposite was true here. Mexican fans congratulated and hugged England supporters, who were blown away by the warm comradery. I was even surprised myself how magnanimous the response was on the street, which only increases my love for this country.

It was an admirable end to a magic moment in Mexico with the World Cup unleashing a euphoria unlike anything I have seen in twenty-five years here. I went to the Angel of Independence after Mexico’s victory over Ecuador and the celebrations were electric with a million people making the streets a carnival, and surreal touches like partiers hanging a piñata on a traffic light and a guy dancing with a dog in his arms wearing a Mexico jersey. There was also tragedy, with at least three people suffocating in the crowds.

I joined in the World Cup party here, supporting the team of…

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