Despite intense summer temperatures, World Cup fervor still hit a fever pitch in Philly

Soccer fans wearing red, white, and blue of all kinds braved triple-digit temperatures across Philadelphia on Saturday as the city hosted its sixth and final match of the FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium, better known as Lincoln Financial Field.

The round of 16 match between France and Paraguay added an international flair to the city’s semiquincentennial celebrations. Before the city launched its fireworks on Ben Franklin Parkway, fans stopped to watch Les Bleus beat Paraguay, 1-0, and advance to the quarterfinals.

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The FIFA Fan Festival in Lemon Hill Park closed after the first match of the day between Morocco and Paraguay, but people across the city found ways to take in the game with other soccer fans.

FOX hosted its studio show from Independence National Historical Park, using Independence Hall as its backdrop.

Broadcaster Rob Stone sat alongside former U.S. men’s national team players Landon Donovan, Alexi Lalas, and Clint Dempsey for the show, which began at 11 a.m. and ended at 3:30 p.m.

Soccer fans and historical sightseers stood on the lawn across the street from Independence Hall as the show taped, chanting “U-S-A” and an occasional “E-A-G-L-E-S.”

Max Goldfarb, 27, stood in the crowd in front of the show’s cameras just before it ended in the afternoon. Once the show was over, Goldfarb got Clint Dempsey to sign a pack of FIFA World Cup stickers he purchased from a nearby convenience store.

Goldfarb wore a France T-shirt he bought when he saw Les Bleus take on Senegal at MetLife Stadium on June 16, but said he was planning on watching the team’s round of 16 matchup from his Center City apartment to escape the heat.

“It’s been cool seeing all the fans around, and the energy of the fourth in the city,” Goldfarb said.

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A few hundred people watched France’s victory from the 700 block of South Street, which was closed to vehicle traffic for a watch party in front of Brauhaus Schmitz.

The German pub and restaurant set up a large LED screen at the end of the block with long, wooden tables in front of it.

A mix of people dressed in festive American colors and French kits attempted to beat the heat with umbrellas, cooling towels and personal fans, crowding into shady spots on the street. Brauhaus Schmitz set up a misting system in front of its storefront on South Street to try and keep its customers cool.

While most of the crowd watching the match were locals, two fans had traveled quite a distance to watch France’s win.

Alex Mar and Axel Pfeffer, natives of Essen, Germany, booked their plane tickets to Philadelphia, where Germany would have played its round of 16 match, before the Germans were upset by Paraguay in the round of 32 on Monday.

Mar and Pfeffer made the trip anyway, arriving to Philadelphia on Saturday. They made Brauhaus Schmitz their first stop after they learned they wouldn’t be able to see Rocky Statue due to the city’s planned Independence Day celebrations.

While they were disappointed to miss a chance to see their country play in the World Cup, the Germans plan on making the most of their trip. They intend to fly to Las Vegas after some more sightseeing in Philadelphia.

Heat like Philadelphia experienced on Saturday is unusual for their home nation, but Mar and Pfeffer seemed unbothered by the temperatures.

“It’s hot, but [we] stay hydrated,” Mar said. “Get in some rooms with air-conditioning, and drink some beer.”

A couple blocks down from Brauhaus Schmitz, French fans packed The Good King Tavern to watch their team advance past Paraguay. As it did for France’s win over Iraq last month, the restaurant opened its upstairs wine bar, Le Caveau, to help accommodate some of the crowd.

Jeff Minors was one France fan waiting to go upstairs before the game started. The Fairmount resident said he started cheering on the French after their run to the World Cup title in 1998, led by Thierry Henry.

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Despite there being closer bars to watch the match at, Minors traveled to The Good King Tavern to watch alongside other French fans.

“We just really wanted to experience the French vibe and cheer on France at a French restaurant,” Minors said.

While the FIFA Fan Festival has brought more traffic and parking restrictions into his neighborhood, Minors said he was not bothered by the festivals’ presence.

Through the six matches Philadelphia has hosted, Minors said he appreciated the energy the tournament has brought into the city.

“I think it’s been great for the city,” Minors said. “It’s been, I think, really eye-opening for a lot of people who are visiting, how fun Philadelphia is.”

Watch the latest episode!

In this World Cup, underdogs are stealing the spotlight, the U.S. men are on a roll, and Philadelphia has not only welcomed the world but has given visitors a crash course on just how real the curse of the Rocky Statue can be.

Join Jonathan Tannenwald, the Inquirer's soccer writer, and host Lisa Carlin, analyst for CBS Sports Golazo, as they dissect the matches, the moments, and more as Philly has its moment in soccer's brightest spotlight. Watch our latest episode right here. 

Watch previous episodes:

Episode 1: The Wait is Over! 
Episode 2: Groups, Goals, and Glory
Episode 3: Electric Action in Philly
Episode 4: The Knockout Rounds Begin!