Dear Diary

A day in the life of soccer columnist Kurtis Larson on the ground in Russia

MOSCOW — Mexican fans were lively after The Game. Well, most of them.

As I exited the Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday night, I came upon a passed out fan who had squeezed into a mariachi suit.

He was sitting nice and tall, with his chin touching his chest. His eyes were closed. He was all alone.

He’ll remember this night forever, I thought. Or, then again, he probably won’t.

A chain-smoking paramedic showed up seconds later and explained it was a regular occurrence.

He’s part of the clean up crew — he called himself a “doctor” — who patrols the venue after hours looking for fans who’ve had too much fun. He told me an ambulance would be around to “take the man home.” Or, to a hospital.

He told me it’s a regular occurrence.

*** Portuguese fans are among the most raucous supporters I’ve seen at a major tournament.

Brazilians are a close second.

A group of Brazilians flooded the Moscow Metro post-game Sunday and took over a subway car by singing and banging on anything and everything.

Locals didn’t seem to mind. Most of them grabbed their cameras and began filming.

This after Brazil drew Switzerland 1-1. Imagine if they’d won.

***

A group of Australian dudes tracked me down in the parking lot outside a 24-hour grocery store.

They congratulated Canada for “winning” the right to host the 2026 World Cup.

They were floored when I told them Vancouver took a pass on hosting games eight years from now.

Even foreigners can’t believe how silly that decision was.

“It will be here faster than you think,” one added.