In the modern game, the storied venue no longer provides the Mexico national team the advantage it did in previous World Cup qualification cycles.
MEXICO CITY — When Costa Rica's players walk into the Estadio Azteca for the first time, they'll feel the weight of history. It's impossible not to enter the physically imposing structure, one that will be filled with more than 80,000 screaming fans Friday, and not think of the past.
It's a venue that has hosted two World Cup finals and almost countless Liga MX finals, memorable World Cup qualifiers and other big matches.