England’s Date with Destiny at the Azteca

The reward for a nervy but ultimately successful victory over DR Congo is a date with Mexico at the Azteca, one of football’s great cathedrals and a stadium that speaks its own history. It’s a venue that’s played host to two of the most iconic finals: Pelé inspiring Brazil in 1970 to a 4-1 win over Italy; and Argentina’s 3-2 win over West Germany in 1986, with Diego Maradona in his pomp.

For England supporters, it is impossible to head to the Azteca without recalling that summer of 1986. Forty years on, the scars remain. It was also the stage for Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ and his breathtaking solo effort that became known as the ‘Goal of the Century’. England were left beaten that day, but the match became one of the most infamous in World Cup history and contributes to the Azteca’s mythical status.