Why Estadio Azteca is one of the world's most daunting places to play

MEXICO CITY - When Ecuador steps onto the field tonight to play Mexico in the round of 32, it won’t just face Mexico but the entire Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Here is what the team and its fans should expect from that atmosphere. 

Hours before the first whistle, the streets around the stadium will already be packed. Vendors will shout over the sound of drums. Mothers and fathers will walk hand in hand with their children, wrapped in green, red, and white flags. The air will carry the smell of tacos and beer, each key ingredients in the cocktail of anticipation. Masks, painted faces, and homemade instruments help Mexican fans enter a celebratory mood that can be both welcoming and intimidating to away fans.

As the Ecuadorian players step onto the field, history will likely cross their minds. They may recall memorable soccer moments, such as Maradona’s “Hand of God” and "Goal of the Century" goals against England in 1986, or Brazil’s historic win over Italy in the 1970 World Cup final, when Pelé established himself as the best player soccer had ever seen. 

When the announcer calls for the Mexican national anthem, the atmosphere changes. Eighty thousand people stand, and their voices come together into a melody that swells out of the Estadio Azteca. 

Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre acknowledged the influence his country's fans have when speaking yesterday.

"The fans have become the 12th man on the field," Aguirre said. "It helps to know that your people are up there, your closest people, your family, and that practically the entire country is watching you."

The announcer counts down and the game begins. The fans yell with joy and excitement. As the opponents move into the Mexican midfield, the fans, sensing danger, try to distract them with deafening boos and whistles. The goal is to haunt the opposition. When momentum shifts, the crowd responds as if it could physically push the game in one direction.

Aguirre is aware that when Mexico finds the net, the stadium erupts, the beer flies, and so do sombreros, as emotions spill beyond control.

"People want to see their team win, play well, score a lot of goals, and thats okay because it's a nice challenge for us to play at home," he said. This forces you to put in double the effort."

The Estadio Azteca has never been just another stadium. This is a place where history, identity and passion come together, turning a 90-minute soccer match into what may seem a lifetime. If Ecuador hopes to advance, it must first silence one of the loudest crowds in the sport.

Massimo Bellew is a student in the University of Georgia's Carmical Sports Media Institute.