The Azteca

The Azteca Stadium.  Capacity of 105,000.  Home of the Mexican Wave, and one of the truly great sporting theatres in the world. 

And, on Thursday morning NZT, the lil old All Whites get to play there, in their biggest match in four years.

This is not Fred Taylor Park, English Park or even the Wellington Regional Stadium.

This ground is the second largest football ground in the world, the cool shadow over the centre circle, has hosted a couple of World Cup finals, is at an altitude of 2300 metres and, until recently, was a fortress for the Mexican national side.

So here is a snapshot of the more famous and infamous moments from the Azteca.

1970.  World Cup Final, and what is widely considered to be the greatest international side ever.  Brazil were 3-1 up into the last 10 minutes and were starting to turn it on. Carlos Alberto with what is sometimes referred to as the greatest Team Goal of them all.

Here is quite a famous goal too.

But Diego felt bad about that so he scored one worth a couple a couple of minutes later.

But it’s not just the South Americans who have strutted their stuff here.  From the same tournament, here is Manuel Negrete in the Round of 16 match against Bulgaria.

And, worryingly, here is Raul Jimenez’s effort from a few weeks ago.  Had that not happened the All Whites would be heading to Panama City this week.