[wyliepoon]

Off we go into the knockout round of the 2006 World Cup, and today (Saturday) I went to the heart of Corso Italia, to Miami Sandwiches at St. Clair and Via Italia to check out the action between Argentina and Mexico.

Corso Italia is probably the most decked-out neighbourhood in Toronto for the World Cup... flags of different countries attached to light poles and restaurant facades, lots of stores selling World Cup merchandise, etc. Today's game drew a large number of Argentine fans, plus a smaller number of Mexican fans. The large patio at Miami Sandwiches was packed with blue-clad Argentina fans. They were a tense bunch, and as the game went on tied 1-1, the tension got even stronger. Eventually it took extra time to resolve this match, with Argentina beating Mexico 2-1, and Argentina fans dancing up and down Via Italia.

Mounted police watching over the soccer fans... with the recent World Cup stabbings and crazy fans driving around waving flags, it's good to have a large police presence around World Cup celebrations

Celebrating the winning goal

After the game...

Police move to shut down Via Italia from traffic

Some Mexican fans I found in the midst of the Argentine party

*****

Video clips

Fans celebrating the winning goal

Celebrations at the end of the match

Dancing in the streets

 

[fiendishlibrarian]

I was in a bar on Bloor surrounded by Mexicans, who were good-natured and congratulated on the fine play of their team. I did not think Argentina deserved to win that game (although after the second goal they got their act together), but that Rodriguez goal was sublime.

 

[spmarshall]

Like Mexico-Argentina, the St. Clair match took extra time for the winner to be decided. Of course, real grass beats astroturf on the pitch, and the good guys won. That SOS banner is looking pretty sorry these days.

 

[mpolo2]

I second the fact that this stretch of St Clair is the most 'into it' part of the city in terms of world cup fever. It seems like this part of town is the centre of the latin american community in the city. PS an awsome strike from the Argentine's to win - hard to begrude them the win when it happens like that.