Housing

It’s a Mexican wave of success at the Homeless World Cup

The hosts tie up both cups in Mexico City’s Zocalo square as all eyes turn to 2019 in Cardiff

19 Nov 2018

Mexico have celebrated hosting the Homeless World Cup in style by scooping both titles.

The Central American country came out on top in the men’s tournament with a 6-3 victory over Chile before seeing off debutants Colombia in the main women’s final.

As for the home nations, England’s men’s side could not repeat Harry Kane and Co’s weekend heroics against Croatia and went down 9-7 to finish seventh in the fourth-tier Mara Claro trophy.

Maravilloso Mexico do the double!
ALL the results from ALL today's matches – read here: https://t.co/fPfRVLssDf
???? @anita_milas #mexico2018hwc #morethanagame pic.twitter.com/fhSqN3W93R
— Homeless World Cup (@homelesswrldcup) November 18, 2018

The women fared better, defeating Greece 3-2 to win the Fundacion Carlos Sim Trophy, just ahead of Scotland who squeezed past Wales on penalties before thrashing the USA 5-2 to record a third-placed finish.

It was a similar story for the men, who eased past Denmark 7-4 in the Fundacion Telmex Telcel Trophy for the teams finishing between 17^thand 24^th.

Wales’ men’s squad edged out Greece 6-5 to take third place in the Harald Peter Schmeid Trophy – the title for nations finishing between 33^rdand 40^ththat is named after the co-founder of the tournament who passed away last month. As for the women, they finished fifth in the second-tier Fundacion Carlos Sim Trophy thanks to a narrow 5-4 victory over Northern Ireland.

Nice win for the Warriors against India 6-3. After a brutal 2nd day in the relentless rain the girls have pushed through all barriers and the rewards are glorious! #TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/H7Q1O2dkFZ
— StreetFootballWales (@sfootballwales) November 14, 2018

Of course, victory isn’t only measured on the pitch – as those taking part told The Big Issue ahead of the tournament, building positive relationships on the sidelines and developing off the ball are just as important as lifting silverware.

And the Street Football Wales outfit will now join the rest of the nations in turning their attentions to Cardiff for the 2019 Homeless World Cup.

Image: Anita Milas/Homeless World Cup

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