We waved goodbye to the wonderful sights, sounds and people of Mexico City and headed to Miami. Because of the last minute nature of the knockouts, we couldn’t get a cheap flight direct so had to go via Atlanta and take a connecting flight. We had allowed only 90 minutes to get that second flight, which happens to be the minimum amount of time recommended by Delta Airlines. Kirsty was somewhat stressed by this to say the least, me less so. No change there.
At the airport we bumped into Mike Stratford and his son, Ben also on their way to Miami. Mike and Ben were involved with us in a horse, Queen’s Rock, ownership syndicate. What’s the chances of us meeting each other here??
Our flight out of Mexico City was delayed. The stress levels with my partner in crime were therefore rising. We both fell asleep on the flight and woke up just as we were coming into land. To our shock and surprise we were almost on time! Thanks to Kirsty’s power of persuasion, we had got seats right next to the cabin door so we could get off first.
For the first time ever US immigration was a breeze. We sailed through. The people of Atlanta are super friendly and even the immigration team had smiles on their faces. We picked up our luggage, shoved it through the security again, and took the train to the departure gate. We made the flight with 10 minutes to spare and even had time to pick up a sarnie! The gods were smiling on us.
And so to Miami. The neon, palm trees, art deco, fast cars, beaches and football supporters arriving from all over the world make it feel like we’ve stepped into Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. For us though, it was a case of Mission Unlocked Vice City. Objective: Get England into the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Every World Cup has a city that doesn’t quite feel real. In 2002 it was Tokyo. In 2022 it was Doha after dark. In 2026, it’s Miami. Palm trees sway over six-lane highways, Ferraris cruise Ocean Drive, helicopters buzz overhead and football supporters from across the globe descend on South Beach. And to cap it all, we are staying on Ocean Drive, which feels spot on.
We got some sleep and headed out for the France vs Morocco game which we watched at CJ’s Crab Shack.
We met up with Colin who had flown back to the US who then told us he had celebrated his 30th birthday in CJ’s. Again what are the chances of that happening? Marc and Reg dropped in too and we scooped up Adrian, a lovely Chelsea supporting Aussie who was travelling around watching games he had bought tickets for in the hope Australia had got through.
The game was a simple procession for France, running out 2-0 winners and barely breaking sweat. Mbappe and Dembele obliged as usual. This French team are on a different level to everyone else. They seem to have a defence that is everywhere and an attack of at least five players that camp on the edge of opposition’s penalty area capable of cutting inside or outside and getting shots off at will. The only team really capable of beating them is Spain in my book. And France would need a real off day for that to happen.
Post match, we took a stroll up South Beach along the strip with Adrian and popped into a few bars and listened to some live music. It was a very Cuban feel, think Buena Vista Social Club and very, very chilled. Perfect.
We bypassed all the clubs and topped up in a great bar on the strip called The News Cafe. Billy, Supes, Spanish Dave, Marc and Reg found it along with a load more of Billy’s mates all of whom were just lovely.
Billy told me that The News Cafe was where his family had spent time after his Dad’s funeral many years ago, and did the same thing for his Mum’s funeral recently. Another connection in a day of connections and coincidences.
No other way to sum it all up but just another brilliant day and night with brilliant people. Long may that continue.
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