Double joy for Chile as the host nation lifts Homeless World Cup

Chile’s golden boy Ismael Mariqueo celebrated lifting the Homeless World Cup yesterday - with an impromptu marriage proposal to his girlfriend.

The host nation lifted the cup in front of an ecastic crowd after beating Bosnia 5-2 in the final, prompting 24 year-old Mariqueo – the country’s top scorer in the tournament - to propose to his flabergasted girlfriend.

Needless to say she accepted.

And to cap a remarkable tournament for the South American nation Chile also lifted the Women’s Homeless World Cup after beating arch rivals Mexico in the final.

The finals, which take place each year, now move to Amsterdam for 2015.

President and co-founder of the Homeless World Cup, Mel Young, said: “The Homeless World Cup is a culmination of all that hard work and we have many success stories of our players’ progression routes out of poverty and their journey to re-join society.

“With more than 80% of players returning to full-time accommodation, education and employment after taking part in the Homeless World Cup, they are literally transformed by the experience of representing their nation.”