In 1986, Mexico became the only country in the world to host the World Cup of Soccer for a second time. Columbia, the original host, was not able to meet its obligations due to financial reasons and resigned in 1982. In 1983, Mexico, being such a soccer mad country, had no trouble picking up the slack and hosting one of the most memorable tournaments of all time. Not even a severe earthquake in Mexico City, causing tens of thousands of deaths in 1985, and only eight months before the tournament, could deter them.
The great thing about hosting a world cup is that the entire country gets to partake in the tournament as it requires many venues to accommodate all the games. Back in 1986, 24 teams vied for the trophy at 12 different stadiums in 9 host cities. A total of 52 games were played and 132 goals were scored. The world was also introduced to what is now known as, The (Mexican) Wave.
Mexico wisely decided to host all of its opening round games in the beautiful Azteca Stadium, the holy ground of soccer in Mexico. Its construction occurred between 1961 - 1966, and it seats over 110,000 people. Located at an altitude of 2,240 meters (7,350 ft) feet above sea level, it is known as one of the worlds most difficult stadiums to play in. If visiting teams haven't had time to acclimatize to the altitude the rarefied air makes the players feel as though their lungs are being torn out. Unfair you say? Well, welcome to international soccer where winning is more than a sense of national pride, it is life or death.
The T.V. audience for the tournament is massive. The final alone has an estimated audience of one billion people. If that pressure wasn't enough for Mexico, then the expectations of their fans was. Victory was not merely hoped for, it was assumed, and failure would be harshly punished. One player, Hugo Sanchez, had to seek psychiatric help as the result of the backlash he received for missing a crucial penalty kick.
Mexico played well in the tournament, but it was not their year. They made it to the quarter finals for a second time in their history. The other time being when they hosted the tournament in 1970, and were knocked out by a far superior Italian team. This time, eventual runners-up West Germany stood in their way. In fairness, Mexico was unlucky to lose the game, a game they really should have won. Alas, the vagaries of the dreaded penalty shoot-out decided the game after extra time, and Mexico, once again, found themselves on the losing end. Some comfort could be taken in the fact that West Germany came within one goal of winning the final. All that stood between Germany and victory was the enigmatic Maradona, who was not to be denied.
Mexico may not have won the World Cup, but they proved themselves, for the second time, as the country that can host the best World Cup Finals. The tournament was an amazing display of soccer from around the world. From rank outsiders Canada almost upsetting the favored France. The Samba driven Brazil dancing around their opponents. Or the unexpected Morocco, winning a group containing powerhouses England, Poland and Portugal. It was a truly great spectacle. To top it all off, the world saw the rise of a player to rival the great Pele. It was Diego Maradona's World Cup and he left an indelible mark on the sport with his unparalleled performance in Mexico.
Perhaps Mexico will host another World Cup and all their past mistakes will be atoned for, by not only producing another memorable tournament, but capping it all off by hoisting the World Cup for the first time.
The great thing about hosting a world cup is that the entire country gets to partake in the tournament as it requires many venues to accommodate all the games. Back in 1986, 24 teams vied for the trophy at 12 different stadiums in 9 host cities. A total of 52 games were played and 132 goals were scored. The world was also introduced to what is now known as, The (Mexican) Wave.
Mexico wisely decided to host all of its opening round games in the beautiful Azteca Stadium, the holy ground of soccer in Mexico. Its construction occurred between 1961 - 1966, and it seats over 110,000 people. Located at an altitude of 2,240 meters (7,350 ft) feet above sea level, it is known as one of the worlds most difficult stadiums to play in. If visiting teams haven't had time to acclimatize to the altitude the rarefied air makes the players feel as though their lungs are being torn out. Unfair you say? Well, welcome to international soccer where winning is more than a sense of national pride, it is life or death.
The T.V. audience for the tournament is massive. The final alone has an estimated audience of one billion people. If that pressure wasn't enough for Mexico, then the expectations of their fans was. Victory was not merely hoped for, it was assumed, and failure would be harshly punished. One player, Hugo Sanchez, had to seek psychiatric help as the result of the backlash he received for missing a crucial penalty kick.
Mexico played well in the tournament, but it was not their year. They made it to the quarter finals for a second time in their history. The other time being when they hosted the tournament in 1970, and were knocked out by a far superior Italian team. This time, eventual runners-up West Germany stood in their way. In fairness, Mexico was unlucky to lose the game, a game they really should have won. Alas, the vagaries of the dreaded penalty shoot-out decided the game after extra time, and Mexico, once again, found themselves on the losing end. Some comfort could be taken in the fact that West Germany came within one goal of winning the final. All that stood between Germany and victory was the enigmatic Maradona, who was not to be denied.
Mexico may not have won the World Cup, but they proved themselves, for the second time, as the country that can host the best World Cup Finals. The tournament was an amazing display of soccer from around the world. From rank outsiders Canada almost upsetting the favored France. The Samba driven Brazil dancing around their opponents. Or the unexpected Morocco, winning a group containing powerhouses England, Poland and Portugal. It was a truly great spectacle. To top it all off, the world saw the rise of a player to rival the great Pele. It was Diego Maradona's World Cup and he left an indelible mark on the sport with his unparalleled performance in Mexico.
Perhaps Mexico will host another World Cup and all their past mistakes will be atoned for, by not only producing another memorable tournament, but capping it all off by hoisting the World Cup for the first time.
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