The 1986 World Cup quarter-final match between England and Argentina, infamous for Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal, also became the backdrop for a love story that continues to this day. Ollie Craxton, then 28 and from London, and Sofia Larrinua, then 21 and from Mexico City, found themselves seated next to each other at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, leading to a romance that has spanned decades.
Ollie had traveled to Mexico with friends for what he called a 'holiday of a lifetime' to watch several World Cup games. However, weeks before the tournament, he discovered his travel agency had scammed him. After selling his car to his father to rebook, he was still able to attend the quarter-final match.
Sofia, a chemistry student, had developed a fondness for the England team after they played pre-World Cup friendlies in Mexico City the previous year. She recalled seeing Gary Lineker and described herself and her friends as becoming "like groupies" to the team.
Despite having a university exam the following day, Sofia's friends convinced her to attend the match. Her last-minute decision meant she had to scramble for a ticket, eventually purchasing one for the equivalent of $5 on resale. Arriving at the stadium, she found herself in a section surrounded by Argentinian supporters while wearing an England T-shirt. Feeling unsafe due to post-Falklands War animosity, she was offered a ticket swap that coincidentally placed her near a group of young Englishmen, including Ollie.
Initially shy, Sofia and her friends eventually sat next to Ollie and his group after being moved from other seats. Sofia later learned Ollie had been smiling because he saw the Mexican girls in England shirts and hoped to chat with them. They bonded over a shared love for Manchester United. During the match, as Argentinian fans began burning English flags and a brawl ensued, Ollie reportedly told Sofia he would protect her and stayed to shield the group, a gesture that impressed her.
The match itself saw Maradona score both the controversial 'Hand of God' goal and the 'Goal of the Century,' leading Argentina to a 2-1 victory. After the game, Sofia showed Ollie and his friends around Mexico City, and the pair soon began a holiday romance.
Following Ollie's return to London, they maintained their relationship through expensive phone calls and letters for a year. Sofia saved money to visit him in the UK, traveling there several times. Their love deepened, and Ollie proposed in 1989 on top of the Teotihuacán pyramids near Mexico City. They married a year later.
Now married for nearly 40 years, Ollie, 68, has retired from local government, and Sofia, 61, is semi-retired from her career as a food anthropologist. They have lived an active life, traveling and pursuing various interests, and chose not to have children, stating they were