Mexico City is a powder keg of passion and anticipation as the city's football faithful prepare for what promises to be one of the most memorable matches in recent World Cup history: England's potentially historic last-16 encounter with El Tri. The country's players have taken centre stage, and their fans are basking in the glory of a team on fire, with their jersey sales setting records that will take some beating – even before they've reached the knockout stages.
The city's streets around Zócalo, its vast main square, are awash with colour as shirt sellers vie for custom amidst an air thick with excitement. The atmosphere has been electric since Mexico's recent thumping of Ecuador, their first knockout win in 36 years – a result that drew an estimated 1.4 million people to watch on outdoor screens, despite the pre-match storm that forced a one-hour delay. It was a stark contrast to their opening match against South Africa, which drew just 400,000 spectators.
But with England now confirmed as their opponents, local pundits are rubbing their hands in glee, predicting a 'magical' atmosphere at Estadio Azteca – a venue renowned for its intense, almost intimidating, surroundings. Fans like Francisco are convinced that Mexico will run riot against the Three Lions, saying "We feel we're going to win. We'll play another game like the one against Ecuador and take them down."
It's not just in the city centre where the fever pitch has been reached – even in trendy areas like La Roma, two miles west of the action, you can sense the 'El Tri bug' spreading fast. Pablo, recalling the night-long celebrations after the Ecuador match, described it as "incredible – thousands of people celebrating, honking horns, jumping around, maracas out, loads of noise."
As the city gears up for what promises to be a record-breaking celebration, fans like Principia from Quintana Roo are predicting that this match will go down in history. "It's just been so exhilarating to see our team win on home soil," she exclaimed at the Fifa fan festival in Zócalo – an event where you can feel the collective spirit of the city palpably. On match days, it seems, everyone is family.