Last year I reported on the Uruguay v. Northern Ireland UFWC match. Since then we’ve had an entire World Cup and the UFWC trophy has changed hands 5 or 6 times. Along the way I managed to watch the drama unfold from 3 different continents as a nomadic football fan!

Watching the UFWC and the World Cup

In the first weekend of the World Cup, Uruguay’s surprise defeat to Costa Rica gave the Ticos the honours and they managed to take the UFWC all the way to the Quarter Finals, where they drew 0-0 with the Netherlands before losing on penalties. A superb performance from Costa Rica who conceded just 2 goals in 5 World Cup matches. Since then the Netherlands, Argentina and Germany have all held the title as the Germans triumphed at the 2014 World Cup Final.

Here are the places where I watched the drama unfold in a crazy few months of travel where some of my attempts. I’d recommend booking a flight in advance if you are on a budget, as looking at last minute flights had me awake all night, with football on in the background and extortionate prices!

1. Leicester Square, England: Uruguay Lose to Costa Rica

Picture the scene – I’m in a crowded bar in London’s Leicester Square watching Uruguay go 1-0 up against Costa Rica. Everyone knows the outcome. Uruguay will score another and will win the match. Wrong. The place erupts as Costa Rica score a quick fire 3 second half goals to win 3-1. One of the biggest shocks of the World Cup, but the best was yet to come from the Ticos…

Partied in London at the start!

2. Macapa, Brazil: Costa Rica beat Italy

I was backpacking in Northern Brazil having attended the Brazil v. Mexico match in Fortaleza and by the time the Costa Rica v. Italy match came round I was in the city of Macapa. Macapa didn’t host the World Cup this year but it is a city with a cool claim to fame – it straddles the Equator. Even better – Macapa has a football stadium where one half of the pitch is in the northern hemisphere and the other half is in the southern hemisphere! As I crossed the Equator, we headed on a bus into the city centre where we watched the Costa Rica match in a licensed ice cream bar! It was just unreal. The Italians looked shell shocked as Costa Rica did what they needed, and furthermore they knocked England out with this 1-0 win.

3. Kourou, French Guyana: Costa Rica draw 0-0 with England

After Macapa we crossed by boat into French Guyana with the idea of watching a France match there. On route to the town of St. Laurent du Maroni we stopped for a night in Kourou. It was here where we simultaneously watched Uruguay knock out Italy and Costa Rica win the group as they drew 0-0 with already eliminated England.

4. Parika, Guyana: Costa Rica v. Greece penalty shoot out

The UFWC title made it through to the World Cup Second round and we were in the unknown town of Parika in Guyana to watch it. We watched the crazy drama unfold as the only two foreigners in a bar called Fat Head’s having the local Bank’s Beer. We all cheered on Costa Rica for the afternoon and the Greeks was out on penalties!

In Guyana for the second round matches

5. Belem, Brazil: Netherlands v. Costa Rica penalty shoot out

This time the Netherlands had to try and oust the UFWC title from the Ticos as well as cementing their place in the World Cup Semi Finals. They did it, but only just. After a frantic 90 minutes and a dramatic 30 minutes of extra time, this time the Costa Ricans lost on penalties as an inspired substitution from Van Gaal led to goalkeeper Krul saving 2 penalties and the Costa Ricans were out. It had been a decent defence of their title over the 4 matches and the UFWC headed into the Semi where Argentina and Netherlands would go head to head. At this point I had no idea where I would be for it…

6. Hostel Green House, Foz do Iguacu, Brazil: Netherlands v. Argentina penalty shoot out

Astonishingly for the third match in succession, the UFWC title match was to be decided on penalties and Argentina had the chance to oust the title off the Netherlands immediately. We were staying in a social and lively hostel called Hostel Green House in Foz do Iguacu when the drama unfolded. This time Argentina triumphed on penalties and I knew I was heading to another UFWC match – I had tickets for football’s main event – the FIFA World Cup Final.

Back in Brazil for the Quarters and Semis!

7. Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: World Cup Final. Germany v. Argentina

It was a dream come true to attend the World Cup final. Even moreso that this was held in Brazil’s famous Maracana Stadium. I had been to the Brazil v. Mexico group match – that was my first ever World Cup tournament match and now I was heading to the final. The day started early and we decided to get the metro over to the Maracana before noon. The two hours before the Closing Ceremony were used to mingle with other fans, have a few beers and soak in the atmosphere. The buzz was just electric, and there seemed to be three main nationalities present on the day – Brazilians, Germans and Argentinians. We met up with lots of them as well as the small Northern Irish contingent that had made the trip over since they didn’t qualify. The Brazilians seemed to all side with the Germans on the day. They had since forgotten the 3-0 defeat to the Netherlands which saw them finish fourth, and they had completed wiped out all trace of “The 7-1”. Their aim now was to watch the Germans beat the Argies by just as emphatic a scoreline.

Of course Argentina didn’t lie down the way Brazil did. The match began and it was an even affair. Both teams went for it, but both defences held out. For a 0-0 match, it was entertaining right up to the end of the 90 minutes and it was time for Extra Time yet again – just as the final in South Africa four years earlier had been. A hero was needed and it was the man who replaced record breaker Miroslav Klose. Mario Goetze did to Argentina what Andres Iniesta had down to the Netherlands in Johannesberg. He scored a late winner, latching onto a ball into the danger zone and slotting home. The goal was right in front of us. As it hit the net the place just erupted! There was more applause and happiness than dejection. The Brazilians couldn’t face the thought of Argentina winning the World Cup in the Maracana. Now they didn’t have to. The Germans had done enough and were worthy winners.

As the Germany team took to the stage to celebrate, there was one thing they forgot – they were not just World Champions, they had also won the Unofficial World Championship. Two for the price of one and Messi had to take home his runner up medal.

Germany have since lost the UFWC to Argentina, and Brazil now hold the trophy!