Mexico fans fill FIFA Fan Festival Dallas as England advances to World Cup Quarterfinals

DALLAS - Mexico supporters packed Fair Park on Sunday, filling the FIFA Fan Festival Dallas main stage viewing area to capacity after organizers reopened the venue following a weather delay caused by lightning and thunderstorms.

FIFA Fan Festival Dallas delay over

What they're saying:

The FIFA Fan Festival temporarily suspended entry Sunday afternoon as lightning moved into the Dallas area. Dallas police officers and festival officials asked people waiting outside to return to their vehicles while those already inside the venue sheltered in place.

Mexico fans pack the Main Stage

After about an hour, organizers reopened the gates around 5:15 p.m., and crowds of fans, many wearing Mexico national team jerseys, streamed into the FIFA Fan Fest ahead of the start of Mexico's FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match against England.

As kickoff approached, organizers announced the main stage viewing area had reached capacity. Fans were encouraged to watch the match from additional viewing areas throughout Fair Park.

Mexico fans brought their usual high energy to what many described as another home match on home soil. The crowd remained loud and engaged throughout a dramatic match that came down to the final moments.

England advanced to the quarterfinals despite playing with 10 men after a red card. The Three Lions held on for the victory, ending Mexico's World Cup run.

England advances

Dig deeper:

England advances to the quarterfinals, where they will face Norway.

Attention at the FIFA Fan Festival now turns to Monday's highly anticipated Spain-Portugal match at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Jones reported seeing several Spain jerseys at Fair Park Sunday night, with fans already looking ahead to the next World Cup showdown.

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