A football fan died at the iconic Azteca Stadium on Sunday, just before Bafana Bafana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A opponents, Mexico, held Portugal to a 0-0 draw in an international friendly showdown.
Bafana will open their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against co-hosts Mexico at Azteca Stadium on June 11. The famed football ground is set to become the first stadium in history to host matches across three World Cup editions.
But on Sunday at the reopening of the renovated ground, tragedy struck when a man fell from a second-level VIP hospitality area. He was attempting to jump to the first level but fell to his death on the ground floor.
Reuters and The Telegraph report that the man was intoxicated. Safety concerns have since been raised about the 87,500-capacity venue, which will host five games at the upcoming World Cup.
MUCH TO DRAW FOR BROOS FROM MEXICO-PORTUGAL STALEMATE IN TIGHT AFFAIR
However, the match went on and the two sides played to a goalless draw. Bafana coach Hugo Broos might have some key takeaways as he watched Mexico against the European side.
Cristiano Ronaldo did not feature for Portugal, but the likes of Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, Manchester City’s Matheus Nunes, Nuno Mendes, Joao Felix and Diego Dalot played.
Thapelo Maseko’s teammate at AEL Limassol and veteran goalkeeper, Guillermo Ochoa, was an unused substitute for Mexico. Ochoa was on the bench when Bafana drew 1-1 with Mexico in the famous 2010 World Cup opener at FNB Stadium.
Fulham striker Raul Jimenez, 20-year-old Atletico Madrid midfielder Obed Vargas and Real Betis’ Alvaro Fidalgo started for the Mexicans.
Sunday’s result came after Mexico hammered Iceland 4-0 in another friendly game last Thursday. It was a game that could have made Broos more wary about Bafana’s opponents.
El Tri will now complete their schedule of the current FIFA break with their third match by taking on Belgium on Tuesday, a day after Bafana face Panama again in their second friendly game.
ENCOURAGING SIGHT FOR BROOS AS IVORY COST TEAR SOUTH KOREA APART
While Mexico’s performances in the current FIFA window could have unsettled Broos and his men, there was some refreshing development as South Korea were thumped 4-0 by Ivory Coast on Saturday.
South Korea are also in Group A together with Bafana and Mexico. Tuesday’s UEFA Route D play-offs final winner between Denmark and the Czech Republic completes this pool.
Saturday’s one-sided affair in Milton Keynes saw two first-half goals by Evann Guessand and Simon Adingra giving the Ivorians a comfortable lead. Martial Godo and Wilfried Singo added to the rout in the second period.
South Korea will complete their March plans by facing Austria on Tuesday, another match Broos and his technical lieutenants would be keen to scrutinise.
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