Superfan Peter Robinson attended Mexico’s Azteca stadium during England’s last match there 40 years ago, among the 114,580 spectators enduring the scorching heat. Since then, he has followed England to eleven World Cups, capturing remarkable moments in photographs that reflect a different era.
One unforgettable match at Azteca was when Diego Maradona scored his infamous ‘Hand of God’ and ‘Goal of the Century’ goals. Peter, a 69-year-old Sunderland supporter, reminisced about the unique atmosphere of that game, where Mexican police generously provided England fans with rides back to the city in police trucks without safety measures like seat belts.
Peter, who worked for British Airways and hails from Hayes, Middlesex, described how most Mexicans seemed to support England during the match. He recalled the intense environment with police, soldiers, and tanks surrounding the stadium, contrasting it with the current fan dynamics.
Having attended eleven World Cups, Peter highlighted the 1986 Mexico World Cup as his favorite due to witnessing every England game. He expressed caution to Three Lions supporters about the upcoming match in the same stadium, noting the fervent passion of Mexican fans who recently celebrated a victory over Ecuador with over a million people taking to the streets, despite the tragic loss of four lives.
Looking ahead to the upcoming game, Peter doubted England’s chances of winning but believed they could reach the quarter or semi-finals. He emphasized the absence of controversies like the Maradona handball incident with the introduction of VAR technology. As he anticipates a different outcome this time, Peter’s experience at the Azteca stadium remains a significant chapter in his World Cup journey.
