A Historic Victory
Saul's cousins's wife, Pilar, got us tickets the day before the all-important game between Colombia and Argentina. Pilar refused to say how she got them, despite that day's newspaper saying tickets were sold out. All she would say is "very carefully."
We got in line at the 42,000-seat Bogota stadium at 10 p.m., to make sure we were able to get seats. The outer fences around the stadium were opened at 3 p.m., and we ran along with the crowds to the gates. We chose seats that were high up in the first section, underneath the second level over hang, in case of rain.
One the game finally started, the Colombians were being outplayed by Argentina, most of whose players have million-dollar contracts in Europe.
Lionel Messi beat two Colombian defenders and scored a beautiful goal right in front of us. It was great to see one of the best players in the world, but disappointing that Colombia was losing 0 to 1.
In the second half, Colombia came out with spark and organization, almost scoring in the first minute. My heart was in my throat as they kept pressing. Finally Ruben Bustos tied the game with a beautiful free kick and Dairo Moreno won it with a brilliant combination with Wason Renteria.
The underdogs, who probably don't earn as a team what Messi earns individually playing for Barcelona, took three points away from Argentina in the all-important World Cup qualifying tournament.
Colombians, whose national team has not gone to the World Cup since 1998, were thrilled. We went along for the wild ride, though we refrained from screaming "H.... de P...." at the Argentina goalkeeper everytime he took a free kick.
We sang and we clapped and we stood and then we finally went home, exhausted but happy.
Saul's cousins's wife, Pilar, got us tickets the day before the all-important game between Colombia and Argentina. Pilar refused to say how she got them, despite that day's newspaper saying tickets were sold out. All she would say is "very carefully."
We got in line at the 42,000-seat Bogota stadium at 10 p.m., to make sure we were able to get seats. The outer fences around the stadium were opened at 3 p.m., and we ran along with the crowds to the gates. We chose seats that were high up in the first section, underneath the second level over hang, in case of rain.
One the game finally started, the Colombians were being outplayed by Argentina, most of whose players have million-dollar contracts in Europe.
Lionel Messi beat two Colombian defenders and scored a beautiful goal right in front of us. It was great to see one of the best players in the world, but disappointing that Colombia was losing 0 to 1.
In the second half, Colombia came out with spark and organization, almost scoring in the first minute. My heart was in my throat as they kept pressing. Finally Ruben Bustos tied the game with a beautiful free kick and Dairo Moreno won it with a brilliant combination with Wason Renteria.
The underdogs, who probably don't earn as a team what Messi earns individually playing for Barcelona, took three points away from Argentina in the all-important World Cup qualifying tournament.
Colombians, whose national team has not gone to the World Cup since 1998, were thrilled. We went along for the wild ride, though we refrained from screaming "H.... de P...." at the Argentina goalkeeper everytime he took a free kick.
We sang and we clapped and we stood and then we finally went home, exhausted but happy.
posted by Rebecca Thatcher Murcia | 1:19 PM
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