His team crashed out of the World Cup 40 years ago. But watching in the stands he met the love of his life
His Team Crashed Out, But Love Remained
His team crashed out of the World – His team crashed out of the 1986 World Cup, yet Oliver Craxton’s life was forever changed that day. What began as a spontaneous pub conversation among friends in North London led him to the legendary Azteca Stadium on June 22, 1986. While watching England face Argentina in the quarterfinals, Oliver spotted three young women speaking Spanish among the crowd. One of them would become Sofia Larrinua, his lifelong partner.
Today, Oliver reflects on that extraordinary day with fondness. “To be there in the Azteca during the ‘Hand of God’ match, although England lost, they lost but we met each other,” he shares with CNN Travel. The stadium itself holds a special place in football history. Rising 2,241 meters above sea level, this bowl-shaped venue creates an immersive atmosphere that captivates visitors. The thunderous roar of thousands of fans—England supporters in their shirts alongside Argentinians in blue—filled Oliver’s senses as he stepped inside.
From Pub Dreams to Mexican Adventures
Back in 1986, Oliver was a young man navigating life in North London. He worked late hours at the local council while attempting to find romance. “I hadn’t had much luck with girlfriends before … I’d sort of gone out with one or two girls for just a drink in the pub kind of thing, and that was it. I didn’t have a steady girlfriend,” he explains. Instead of dating, he spent his evenings in pubs with the same group of friends he had known since childhood.
“We’ve known each other since we’re about four years old, and we used to go out drinking regularly,” he recalls. This tight-knit circle gathered one summer evening in 1985 at a pub in London’s Islington district. They debated whether England could finally replicate their 1966 World Cup triumph. After two decades without success, the task seemed daunting, yet Oliver and his companions felt hopeful.
“We were sitting in a pub and we were saying, ‘Let’s go. We should go,'” Oliver remembers. Flying to Mexico wasn’t inexpensive or simple, but friend Andy’s enthusiasm convinced Oliver to seriously consider the idea. By evening’s end, the two clinked their pints and made a promise to attend the tournament together.
The Journey to Mexico
Securing their trip required careful planning. Since neither could afford an entire month away from work, they bet on England advancing to the knockout rounds. Their gamble paid off when England progressed through the group stages. However, disaster struck shortly before departure when Oliver learned his travel agency had gone bankrupt. The company held his flight and hotel reservations.
“We managed to get another package, but it was more expensive, so I had to sell my car. I had a nice car which I had bought to try and attract girls, but I sold the car to pay for the extra increase,” Oliver recounts. Despite these obstacles, both friends arrived in Mexico City just in time for the quarterfinal match.
During their days exploring the city, Oliver entertained thoughts of a potential vacation romance. “Everybody was really friendly, and people were saying hello, and there was a real mix of people at the games — families, lots of women on their own or in groups,” he observes. “I did think that there was a chance of meeting somebody, but obviously it was probably sort of wishful thinking.”
On match day, Oliver and Andy arrived early and ignored their assigned seats. Instead, they joined fellow England supporters already occupying the stands. As the crowd grew, Oliver noticed three young women entering the stadium. They spoke Spanish but wore England colors. Little did he know, this chance encounter would change his life forever. His team crashed out of the tournament, but love had found him in the stands.
“His team crashed out of the 1986 World Cup, yet Oliver Craxton’s life was forever changed that day.”
