Demolition of Costa Rica's National Stadium has begun, marking an adiós to an era that for 84 years has seen moments in sports, culture and social history.

It's also paving the way for a new stadium triple its size, one of the recent gifts China has showered over this Central American country (see www.ticotimes.net/topstory.htm).

The stadium, in the city's west Sabana district, has hosted figures from soccer hero Pelé to Pope John Paul II, and concerts by Luciano Pavarotti, Aerosmith and Bruce Springsteen.

By yesterday, much of the arena had been turned to rubble.

But nostalgic fans on Sunday had already taken home chunks of the historic stadium. At the end of the last game – Brujas beat University of Costa Rica 3-2 – spectators rushed to grab pieces of earth and grass, goal net and cement as souvenirs.