​England and Mexico clashed at the Azteca in Mexico City on Sunday evening in a Round of 16 contest that will be remembered for a long time. The Three Lions surged into a 2-0 lead, but a red card swung momentum in favor of the hosts, putting Thomas Tuchel’s defense under intense late pressure. In a game packed with drama, England ultimately edged out Mexico 3-2 in what many regard as one of the most memorable World Cup encounters involving a European nation. Following the match, an English journalist took to social media to praise Mexico and its people.
Photograph by Carl De Souza / AFP via Getty Images
On X, Lloyd Canfield confessed that he approached the trip with some trepidation about travelling to Mexico City for the tie. Yet he soon highlighted the warmth and generosity of the people he encountered while covering England’s exploits.
“I think I speak on behalf of 99% of England fans when I want to say thank you,” Canfield said. “I know that my experience is one shared by many who travelled here to witness that incredible game at the Azteca, but I also want to offer a personal thanks to the people of Mexico.”
He continued: “I was admittedly a little apprehensive about coming to Mexico City. There’s a lot of negative talk about Mexico, but the kindness I’ve encountered here has been disarming, and it’s really what the World Cup is all about. For me, at 25 years old, this is the first World Cup I’ve ever covered. I haven’t travelled extensively to watch football abroad, and it says a lot about a place when you feel safe trusting strangers in the street.”
Canfield recounted memories of playing football in the capital’s streets and recalled joyful moments when locals embraced him. He described Colombians lifting him into the air because he wore a Mexico shirt while hailing from England, and he recalled the laughter and camaraderie that followed. He also emphasized how the Mexican people helped him recover his belongings after a mishap, with strangers shining flashlights to help locate his AirPods, AirPod case, charger, and wallet. In his words, the experience showcased the true hospitality that characterizes the country, a genuine embodiment of the World Cup spirit.
The journalist’s reflections are not unique among England fans following the weekend’s match. One supporter even suggested that the World Cup final should be held at the Azteca rather than in the United States. Elsewhere online, a video has circulated of a Mexican fan handing a plush toy to an away supporter, illustrating the goodwill that has accompanied the global event’s late-stage action.
England’s reputation abroad has faced its share of stereotypes, but the response to this match indicates a deepened goodwill between the English and Mexican fans, a bond that has grown alongside a memorable clash that will be recalled for years to come.