Around 5,000 delirious green-jerseyed, flag-waving fans made a beeline for Guadalajara’s Minerva traffic circle Monday afternoon after the Mexican soccer team advanced to the last 16 of the World Cup following a decisive 3-1 victory over Croatia.
The euphoria was heightened by the high quality of the performance and a goal from local hero Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez.
The celebrations lasted several hours as police diverted traffic around the busy intersection at Lopez Mateos and Vallarta. Fans brought along large quantities of beer, drums, trumpets, a gigantic photo of Chicharito and even one of Pope Francis. One man dressed up as the famous Mexican wrestler El Santo, taking part in an improvised soccer game with other happy fans.
Monday’s victory took El Tri into the knockout rounds and a winner-takes-all duel on Sunday with the Netherlands, when Hernandez will come face to face with his club colleague, Robin van Persie of England’s Manchester United. Interestingly, he will also be up against his next club coach, Louis van Der Gaal, who leaves the Dutch manager’s job after the World Cup to take over the reins at Manchester United.
Bookies give the Dutch a slight advantage but Mexico will be full of confidence after downing the fancied Croatians with such ease.
Veteran defender and captain Rafael Marquez opened the scoring with a well-placed header from a corner after 70 minutes. Three minutes later Andres Guardado rifled in a shot from inside the penalty area following a slick passing move down the right-hand side. Hernandez then pounced at the far post following a skilful back-headed flick from Marquez at another corner, while Croatia scored a consolation goal with two minutes remaining – the first goal to be put past Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa at the tournament.
Mexican fans predominated at the game held in northern Brazilian city of Recife. As the game drew to a conclusion, thousands of fans gave an stirring rendition of the Mexican classic “Cielito Lindo.”
‘Piojo’
During the tournament plenty of media attention has been focused on the passionate touchline celebrations of Mexican coach Miguel “Piojo” Herrera. Well dressed in a smart suit and tie, the former soccer star wore his heart on his sleeve on Monday in the most effusive manner, jumping for joy after each of his team’s three goals. He punched the air and hugged any assistants and players who happened to be standing near him and actually fell on top of goalie Ochoa who rushed to the half-way line after the third goal to celebrate with his coach.
Images of Herrera’s contorted face quickly spread around social media sites, raising the Mexican coach’s growing cult status and earning him the undisputed crown as the World Cup’s most entertaining character.
Many fans have posted how much they would like Mexico to score against the Dutch just to see more of Herrera’s animated celebrations.
United States
The United States managed to sneak though to the last 16, despite losing to Germany 1-0 in its final group game on Thursday.
The powerful Germans, one of the tournament’s favorites, dominated the game but the American players were well organized in defense and could have tied or even won the game with two clear chances to score in the final minutes.
Qualifying second in their group, Team USA next play Belgium in the round of 16 on Tuesday, July 1, 3 p.m. in the city of Salvador.
The fortunes of the United States soccer team are being closely followed back home and by an army of fans in Brazil. According to the U.S. Consulate in Rio de Janeiro, almost 100,000 American fans have made the trip to Brazil – three times more than any other country. And Fifa confirms that U.S. fans bought more tickets than those from every other country except the home nation.
Television audiences in the United States have rocketed, indicating that soccer – or at least the World Cup – has become mainstream. The tie with Portugal last weekend was the most-watched soccer game ever in the United States, with 24.7 million people tuning in – more than for the NBA finals.
England
Meanwhile, a dejected English team left Brazil with its tail between its legs after obtaining just one point in its three group games and failing to qualify for the knockout stage. Defeats to Italy and Uruguay, and a tie with Costa Rica were a poor return for a team filled with players on huge salaries playing in the richest league in the world, the English Premier League.
Here's a look at some upcoming games in the Round of 16:
Brazil vs. Chile, Saturday, June 28, 11 a.m.
Mexico vs. Holland, Sunday, June 29, 11 a.m.
France vs. Nigeria, Monday, June 30, 11 a.m.
United States vs. Belgium, Tuesday, July 1, 3 p.m.