Two Victories

Yesterday, I was eager to see the results of two games of the World Cup.

In the afternoon Switzerland played against Canada.  I have nothing against Canada, but I was hoping that Switzerland would win.  As my readers know, some of my ancestors came from Switzerland, and I still have distant cousins that live there.

I was passing through "Reforma 222", a shopping mall along Paseo de la Reforma.  A TV screen had been set up there, and the Swiss - Canadian match was being televised.

It was nearly the end of the first half, and neither team had yet scored a goal.  When I returned to the apartment, I checked the score on the internet.  The game was over.  In spite of the fact that the game was played in Vancouver, Switzerland had defeated the home team by 2 - 1!  Hurray Switzerland!

The big game yesterday evening was between Mexico and Czechia here at the Azteca Stadium.  Mexico had already secured the top position in its group, and, according to what I read, the coach was going to substitute some of the top players to give them a rest before the next game.

About half-way through the game it began to rain heavily here at the apartment,  Mexico City covers a large area, and it can be pouring rain in one spot while there is not a drop in another place.  From what I understand, the game can continue even if it is raining.  However, it there is any lightning, play will be delayed.  After a while, I heard thunder, and I hoped that they would be able to finish the match.  Apparently the weather was cooperative in the southern part of the city where the stadium is located.  I kept checking the score on my cell phone, and the game was continuing.  It concluded at around 9 PM, and it was a decisive victory for Mexico with a score of 3 - 0!  Later, after the rain had stopped, I could hear car horns honking in celebration.

There are twelve groups of four teams competing in this World Cup.  Mexico is in group A, and Switzerland is in group B.  The initial games for A and B are now completed, and, as you can see from this chart, Mexico and Switzerland have dominated their respective groups.

Mexico won all three of their games, and Switzerland had two wins and one draw.  I have no idea how they calculate the final point total for each team, nor do I understand the tournament's complicated elimination process.  But obviously, Mexico and Switzerland will continue to play again.

If Mexico and Switzerland should happen to play each other in a future match it will be a problem for me.  I won't know for whom I should root... my adopted country or my ancestral homeland!