When the Round of 32 picture started to take shape, there had to be some teams disappointed with their matchups, but I’m not sure anyone could’ve been bummed harder than Ecuador when it realized it had drawn Mexico in Mexico City.
You’ve got an always-dangerous team playing at home in the most soccer-crazed of the tournament’s three host nations.
What could possibly go wrong?!
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Well, for starters, you could end up with the worst night’s sleep of your life, and that’s if you were able to sleep at all.
Mexican fans went to the Ecuadorians’ hotel and made as much noise as humanly possible to make sure that when they hit the field on Tuesday evening they are anything but well-rested.
There are two ways to look at this.
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On one hand, it’s not exactly an example of fine sportsmanship.
On the other hand, if someone told me I could help my team by standing outside the opponents’ hotel banging pots and pans, I probably wouldn’t do it because I like my sleep, but dammit, I would really consider it.
Also, I feel like Ecuador should’ve expected this. Someone should’ve hopped on Amazon and bought some Bluetooth eye masks, and the problem would’ve been solved.
But clearly, they didn’t do this because, on Tuesday, just hours before the game, Ecuador’s football federation put out a statement about the impromptu block party outside their hotel.
“Regarding certain non-footballing actions that took place in the lead-up to the round of 32 match, the Ecuadorian Football Federation informs that it has sent a formal complaint to the organization, as this behavior is a far cry from the principles of fair play, equity, and unity that a football World Cup should represent,” the statement reads.
I feel like the toothpaste is out of the tube on this one, but I do know one thing: things might get really interesting when these two teams — and their respective fans — meet up at Mexico City Stadium.
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