Not only were the England fans outnumbered by 30 to one inside the Azteca stadium, but on their way to and from the game they had to run a gauntlet of Mexico fans, including the Anti-Globalist Assembly, a far left group that promised to target England supporters because of Britain’s history of colonial rule.

The local police advised the visiting fans not to hang around the area after the game – and with good reason. After Mexico beat Ecuador last week, over a million people gathered outside the Azteca to celebrate and four fans died in the crush.

Contrast that with the experience of football supporters attending games in the United States. The story of this World Cup is of fans from all over the world discovering just how wonderful America is, from the cornucopia of different cuisines to the warm welcome they receive wherever they go.

The tournament has been the best advertisement for America since the moon landing

The tournament has been the best advertisement for America since the moon landing

Take the Tartan Army that arrived in Boston to see Scotland play Haiti, Morocco and Brazil in the group stage. This was the first time Scotland had........

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