The World Cup match between Mexico and England at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City faced a delay due to severe weather conditions. Scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. PDT on Sunday, the match was postponed by an hour to 6 p.m. Lightning and rain in the forecast contributed to the decision. The announcement came via big screens at the stadium roughly 45 minutes before the original start time.
FIFA officials had previously considered adjusting the game time to avoid the forecasted thunderstorms, opting instead to monitor the situation. Despite the delay, the match proceeded as planned, with the winner expected to face Norway in the quarterfinals. Norway secured their quarterfinal place by defeating Brazil 2-1.
Mexico celebrated a historic win earlier in the week by defeating Ecuador 2-0. This victory marks Mexico’s first knockout stage win in the World Cup since 1986, a milestone celebrated with over 80,000 fans at Azteca Stadium.
In other news, Mexico fans showed a renewed enthusiasm for their team, rallying behind the slogan “¿Y si sí?” which translates to “What if we do?” This catchphrase inspires hopes for exceeding expectations during the World Cup. Fans flocked to public celebrations, including the Fan Festival in Mexico City’s Zócalo, and expressed their support by wearing caps emblazoned with the motivational phrase.
The change in public sentiment is mirrored in Southern California, where media coverage highlights fan celebrations without criticism. Mexican Americans show strong support for Mexico’s team, expressing pride in their heritage while facilitating cultural acceptance. Celebrations occur across cities, with the media framing these events positively, unlike in previous years.