Mexico’s gold-medal performance in men’s soccer — its first gold medal in soccer — was greeted with wild celebrations back home and chants of “Viva Mexico!” and “Campeones! Campeones!”
Thousands of Mexicans rushed city squares across the country in celebration after the final whistle. It was their country’s first gold medal at the London Olympics — and it was most unexpected,against heavily favored Brazil.
“Mexico needs heroes,” Leonardo Rodriguez, who has a construction company, said after watching the game at arestaurant in Mexico City with fellow customers, valet parkers and waiters. “This team, this is it.”
Mexico has struggled with a deadly drug war and economic problems and something of aninferiority complex with Brazil, so the win was especially sweet.
“Viva Mexico,” Mexico star Javier Hernandez, who plays for Manchester United andwas not relased for Olympic play, said via Twitter. “Thank you thank you thank you. Proudly Mexican, for good and for bad.”
Be proud Mexico.
Given how well Mexico had been playing and given the kind of weakness Brasil had been showing, I knew Mexico could pull it off. But that they actually did it–that they actually got the mission accomplished… Incredible! Wow!! I heard last night that Argentina and France are the only countries to have ever won the three most important soccer tournaments according to FIFA: the World Cup, the Confederations Cup, and the Olympics. It should be pretty clear by now that Mexico is much closer to winning the World Cup than Brasil is of ever winning the Olympics.
Not sure about the “inferiority complex” considering Mexico has beaten Brazil like a drum for the past 17 years.1996 Gold Cup Final: Mex 2 Bra 01999 Confed Cup Final: Mex 4 Bra 32003 Gold Cup Final: Mex 1 Bra 02005 U-17 WC Final: Mex 3 Bra 02012 Olympic Final: Mex 2 Bra 1also:2005 Confed Cup: Mex 1 Bra 02007 Copa America: Mex 2 Bra 02012 June 2: Mex 2 Bra 0And shall I go on? With the possible exception of France, no other country has had Brazil’s number so much in the past 30 years. They should quake in their boots when they see Mexico on the schedule! Congrats El Tri!!
Bruce, great info. Mexico should now he ranked top 10 in Fifa standings. Somebody should tell Fifa they are way off with their rankings. Honduras should be proud as well. They were the biggest surprise of all. Conacaf looks stronger than ever. Honduras ties Spain and plays Brazil to a great close game with 1 then 2 men less. Honduras barely beat El Salvador for the Olympic Spot in Qualifying. Canada also lookd tough. Usa better get it right soon or they will quickly fall behind to these small but emerging countries.