They woke up in Mexico City still clutching the memory of it — a 3-2 win over Mexico played with ten men, under the floodlights of the Azteca, that fans are already calling one of the most magical nights in English football history. Thomas Tuchel’s side had done it, progressing to a World Cup quarter-final meeting with Norway on Saturday, and now the celebrations had to move fast.
By 6.50am, some supporters were already at the airport boarding AeroMexico’s direct flight to Miami, ready for the next adventure. Others were flying home to England but planning to return to Florida on Friday. Over breakfasts in hotels and restaurants, the talk was of what they had just seen. Many called it their “best game ever”, though older fans said it could never beat the 5-1 win over Germany in Munich in 2001.
“England fans call historic 3-2 win over Mexico their ‘best game ever’ as they head to Miami for World Cup quarter-final against Norway.”
Superfan Gary Taylor, at the match with girlfriend Jo Lewis, said: “Fair play to the Mexico fans they were great in defeat.” The couple had been caught in a crush at the opening ceremony in Mexico City last month. “It was so much different this time,” he said. “What a match – that ranks in my top three games of all-time. It doesn’t beat Germany away in 2001, and 2002 World Cup against Argentina, but it was just fantastic. It was a real privilege to be here.”
Tony Incenzo, who has visited every non-league ground in the National League pyramid – more than 2,500 of them – said: “I’ve been watching the World Cup since 1970 and that was one of the best matches I’ve ever seen.”
The scramble for tickets was already underway. On the official FIFA resale site, one ticket was listed at £7,000. On Seatgeek, prices ranged from £2,200 to £3,000. One cheeky punter had his ticket on sale for £5.6m. Businessman Dan Fellows, 37, originally from Wolverhampton but now living in Houston, Texas, has followed England across the country this summer and already has tickets for the semi-final and final. With his flight and hotel booked for Miami, all that’s missing is a quarter-final ticket. He said: “A World Cup quarter-final in Miami – it does…”
The Three Lions now face Erling Haaland’s Norway in Miami on Saturday. England defender John Stones has already fired a warning to his former Manchester City teammate. For the fans, the party has only just moved stateside.