AZTECA & WORLD CUP DEMONS EXORCISED. SORT OF.

Plus the Monday morning feels after that [expletive removed] 

Sunday night before

It’s well established in football folklore the superclásico at la Bombonera is akin to a religious experience. 

When two of the grandest club sides on planet futbol, Boca Juniors and River Plate go at it hammer and tong for 90 minutes of pulsating football on the pitch. 

Buenos Aeries is ironically divided in half by the world's widest estuary; la Río de la Plata. It is also marks the dividing line of the two clubs. River Plate to the north; their poorer southern neighbours; Boca ‘beneath’ the l’aristocrats of one of the world’s most fabulous cities. 

Did I mention there’s a cemetery on la Bombonero lands?

Sugar Loaf Mountain Jude transported to the Azteca

Not sure what the starting gun was to Sunday Night Live [Azteca Style] was? Maybe it was that too close as houses thunderbolt which struck about 90 minutes ahead of the scheduled 19h 00 local kick off. One which immediately had FIFA announce a delay to Kick Off. To a minimum of 60 minutes. 

A lightening bolt so fierce it stretched close to 9,000 kilometres and 8-time zones to the beer fridges and pubs of Jolly Olde. Till 02h 00 Monday local Birmingham Bellingham time.

I am not now here going to give you a play by play of what occurred over the next 6 hours on and off the pitch. 

Including the performance over the entire 100 minutes plus. Go take in the sights and sounds. From the TV from the socials. Make your minds up. 

To me this World Cup moment for England finally exorcised their Argentine #Mexico86 demons. Maybe finally England’s goalkeeper that particular Azteca Sunday evening Peter Shilton will have a wry smile this morning. It is well established and chronicled the now 76-year old has incorrectly held a gripe with Diego Armando for exactly 40 years and refused to meet Diego Armando, and shake hands on it.

Time finally Shilt’s to apologise to Maradona posthumously and passionately. Your beef should be with the officials, always should have been. Not the person who has graced every pitch and dirt patch he ever walked on with the most graceful of football. Ever.

That Azteca Heart, Passion and Character from England in so very many moments mixed in with some of the most unbridled talent in world football is a heady cocktail. One though I believe its most potent is yet to come. Emboldened, yet job far from done.

Such was the exorcising of World Cup demons, the last time a footballer scored a brace at the Azteca was none other than #D10S on that particular July Sunday Night back at Mexico1986. We all know what happened after.

Embarrassing to see though on socials so many failing to first invent and then stoke division so miserably between the Mexico and English support in around the Azteca. 

All I kept seeing again and again was moments of unbridled joy between them. From even before the sun set over one of the planet’s grandest metropolises. Post-game the Mexicans such Ambassadors for their wonderful nation in defeat. Yes they’ll be isolated moments. 

Ever walked around Toronto, New York or London on any given weekend night? 

Spare a moment for elder England Statesman Jordan Henderson though please. Took a squad spot no one down the pub could comprehend, and that was before getting on the ale. 

Booked, yellow carded in a match he never played a moment in. Then during the England Celebration tripped over the Advertising Hoarding, sadly fracturing his arm, severely so. The video is horrific. This proper England servant was rushed to a Mexico City Central Hospital and as we speak is still awaiting transfer to Kansas City, where England are based, to undergo emergency surgery. 

What is it with the English and World Cup trauma?

Back to Hey Jude… Bellingham faced the ire of the UK Government Monday morning in London by having the ‘temerity’ of suggesting postgame the kids of England should stay off school Monday. 

By the time the England time left the hallowed Azteca pitch after the de rigour postgame ‘Wonder Wall’ serenading of the attending England support it was approximately 04h 30 in London, Liverpool, Birmingham and Manchester.

“I Said Maybe; You Just Might Change…”

In that Azteca moment Jude Bellingham, his team mates and everyone connected to the England squad had already done far more to unite the most divided England I have ever known in my lifetime than what we have witnessed by any UK Government this century. 

Stay in your lane government. Tommy T’s fixing English football. Kindly focus on fixing England, the United Kingdom.

By the way UK Gov Inc - renowned UK economists and financial experts Monday morning were rightfully declaring a boost to the UK Economy owing to what is known as. “The Feelgood Factor.” 

Something I am fully aware of as a Student of Economics. The boost will be a singular event measured over the short run that neither this current UK government or that previous circus of one - couldn’t even create in their wildest dreams.

Speaking of Tommy T’s already awake. Presuming he actiually got some kip and just announced there’s much more to come from his lovable English Team.

Obviously from the most joyful and loving English Support too. One which is bound to swell larger than life as they’re off to the Palatial Home of Brand Beckham… Going to Miami in bigger and better numbers.

Bring on the Vikings. Led by their mercurial, and mythical head horseman Haaland. 

Arise Sir David your English Knights need some Miami insight. Plus where to buy some fireworks, some sombreros, and a Magnificent Mexican Marching Band. Something tells me they’ve already sorted and sourced the truck load of Tequila. 

They’ll need all the ingredients to recreate the Azteca to stand any chance to slay Norway. Let’s not even discuss yet what may await in any semi-final. 

This is that unusual World Cup, remember? Where unusual things have occurred, the most unusual yet to come. Just Maybe…

Everyone around the world no matter where they’re from who they cheer for the very loudest, watching and viewing in - will have this match imprinted on them forever. 

For this particular World Cup’s, “I remember where I was moment” if ever there is one. 

Azteca sits 2,000 metres plus above sea level. July 5^th 2026 will go down as the night the Azteca Altitude lifted further and higher to the sea below. 

Maybe climatologist will brand it the Bellingham Kane Curve.

Cheers

@NoelPButler

info@orangesathalftime.net