The sound of construction echoed through Mexico City's Hidalgo metro station, a site that was already famed for its internet memes, as workers rushed to complete a lavish makeover ahead of Thursday's FIFA World Cup opening ceremony.
The station's marble floors and a grand chandelier, alongside rows of lamps evoking scenes from Harry Potter or Titanic, were being installed amidst a flurry of activity. Locals navigating the bustling transport hub reacted with a mix of amusement and exasperation, frequently pausing to photograph the controversial facelift.
