José Méndez/EPA
Mexican fans celebrate during a friendly between Mexico and Portugal, at the Banorte Stadium, in Mexico City, Mexico.
Special restrictions on the sale and consumption of alcohol had no effect: a fan died drunk when trying to jump from the second to the first level of the stands. Portugal drew with zero goals.
One fan died before the start of the game between Mexico and Portugal, in Mexico City, this Saturday, a preparatory match for the 2026 World Cup that ended goalless, in the long-awaited reopening of the mythical Azteca Stadium.
The spectator died after falling from a box area at the newly opened stadium. According to a statement from the Citizen Security Secretariat (SSC), the man was in state of intoxication when he tried to jump from the second to the first level of the bench, from the outside of the structure.
The attempt ended tragically. The victim fell to the ground floor of the enclosure.
Despite receiving immediate medical attention at the scene, the man did not survive the severity of his injuries. Mexican authorities indicated that the case has been reported to the competent authorities, who must determine the exact circumstances of the incident.
The tragedy occurred in a context of increased security measures in the vicinity of the stadium. For this meeting, authorities in the Mexican capital had implemented special controls on the sale and consumption of alcoholwith the aim of preventing disrespect and protecting spectators. Among the restrictions in force were the prohibition on the sale of alcoholic beverages in open containers, the prohibition of consumption on public roads close to the stadium, the supervision of sales to minors and the control of sales hours. INVEA teams carried out patrols before, during and after the match.
After a 0-0 draw, the Portuguese team leaves Mexico City this Sunday and continues its trip to Atlanta, where on Tuesday it will face the USAin a new preparation meeting for the 2026 World Cup.
