England and Mexico clashed at the Azteca in Mexico City late on Sunday evening in a Round of 16 tie.
The Three Lions went 2-0 up in the game, but a red card allowed the hosts to get a foothold back in the tie, piling late pressure on Thomas Tuchel’s defence.
In the end, England came away with a 3-2 win in what was one of the most memorable World Cup games the European nation has experienced. Now, on the back of the tie, one English journalist has been showering Mexico and its people in praise.
English journalist praises the Mexican people
Taking to X/Twitter, Lloyd Canfield admitted he was initially a bit apprehensive about travelling to the country for the game.
However, he went on to explain the ‘kindness’ of the people he met while covering England.
Canfield said: “I think I speak on behalf of 99% of England fans when I want to say thank you. I know that my experience is one that is shared by a lot of the England fans who travelled here to Mexico City to watch that incredible game in the Azteca, but I also want to say a personal thanks to the people of Mexico.
“I was admittedly a little apprehensive about coming here to Mexico City. I feel as though there’s a lot of negative talk about Mexico, but the kindness of the people here has been so disarming, and it’s really what the World Cup is all about. Now to me, I’m 25. This is the first World Cup I’ve ever covered. I haven’t travelled all that much to watch football abroad, and it says a lot about a place when you trust strangers in the street to electrocute you for fun.
“We played football together in the streets of Mexico City. I had Colombians throw me up in the air because I was wearing a Mexico shirt and I was from England. It was so much fun, and those people, by the way, very, very helpful because all my possessions came out of my pockets. They all put their flashlights on, helped me find my AirPods and my AirPod case, my charger, my wallet, and I found it all. They were incredibly kind, and that is a personification of the kindness of the people here.”
The journalist is not the only England fan to show his appreciation for the country after the weekend’s match.
One English fan wants the World Cup final to be at the Azteca rather than in the United States.
Elsewhere, a video of a Mexican fan giving away a plushie to an away supporter is doing the rounds on social media.
England don’t always have the best reputation when it comes to travelling abroad, but it seems like they have built a great relationship with Mexico.
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