One of the reasons the World Cup is enjoyable to watch is the memories. Despite all the blatant FIFA corruption, despite all the amateur dramatics, questionable decision making, greenwashing, sportswashing and over inflated egos that FIFA promotes, the tournament resurrects many memories. Some are happy, some are painful. Who were you with, where were you, what were you doing and how did it feel the last time you watched this team or match?
The greeks have a name for all this sporting drama: the Olympic agonies (αγώνες). What better way to describing the experience of being a football fan. Agony. Talking of which, the England National Football Team will face Mexico in Mexico City on 5th July at the magnificent Estadio Azteca. Do you remember the last time your team played the Estadio? The venue has some distinguished history including:
- Italy 4-3 West Germany in the 1970 semi-final
- Brazil 4-1 Italy at the 1970 final
- Argentina 2-1 England at the 1986 quarter-final
- Argentina 3-2 West Germany at the 1986 final
The Estadio is the only stadium to have staged two FIFA World Cup finals. While it wowed Pele, Maradona and the Pope, it looks like an Aztec temple of human sacrifice especially for European football teams. Thankfully there’s less blood and no murder, but of the 89 competitive games that Mexico have played there, they’ve only lost two of them. The omen’s aren’t good and neither is the Mexican weather forecast.
While I’m pleased to watch the England national football team make progress at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, they haven’t done so very convincingly, especially in defence. There’s plenty of Dad jokes circulating about England’s defenders being “left-back” (groan) in England. The national team look in need of divine intervention, in their favour this time, for any chance of beating an impressive Mexico on their home turf at high altitude.
So, bring on the agony and if you’re supporting England, get down on your knees and pray for divine intervention. It’s likely to be memorable.
O'Really? 