I wonder what newbie expats were thinking when they heard ear-splitting blasts of cohete rockets rip the air at mid-morning last Saturday.

They probably grimaced in expectation that another noisy religious fiesta was starting, sending pampered pets running for cover.

I knew at once the motive of the auditory disturbance. I was glued to the TV screen watching Mexico’s soccer team play their opening match in the World Cup (Mundial) competition. Prospects for victory against Germany’s defending champions were dim. I prayed out loud, “Just let the Tri score the first goal, then Alemania can tear them up.”

At 35 minutes into the first half, Hirving “Chucky” Lozano completed a brilliant counterattack, slamming the ball past German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Seconds later thrilled Ajijic futbol fans launched the first flurry of rocket fire.

Meanwhile, their counterparts in far off Mexico City jumped for joy around the towering Angel de Independencia monument, apparently instigating a man-made tremor that registered on Richter scale. Such is the furor for the nation’s favorite sport.

When the nail-biting match finally ended with a stunning one-to-nothing score in Mexico’s favor, the anticipated barrage of cohetes followed in short order. Over in Russia, the team’s boosters in the Luzhniki stadium burst out in a chorus of the traditional theme song: “Ay, ay, ay, ay, canta y no llores, porque cantando se alegran Cielito Lindo los corazones.” (Sing and don’t cry, lovely heavenly one, for singing gladdens hearts.)

I’m not really a soccer fanatic, though I find the game far more entertaining than American football or tiresome nine innings of baseball. I do get pumped when the Mundial rolls around every four years, invariably rooting for Mexico despite its disappointing record in the contest.     

The stunning victory against the world champs has given citizens some welcome relief and distraction from this year’s scourge of election campaign fatigue. A populace deeply divided by political differences has been united in a spirit of national pride and lifted by a renewed sense of optimism. And, of course, the win  bolstered countrymen’s quirky sense of humor, spawning hilarious memes that have gone viral on social networks. Among my favorites is the image of heroic goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa depicted as San Judas Tadeo, Patron Saint of Lost Causes.

It remains to be seen whether Mexico can maintain a combination of strong defensive and offensive tactics on the pitch to keep advancing in the World Cup.

Still, you might want to keep earplugs handy and feed your pooch a dose of tranquilizers in case the team holds up against South Korea this Saturday, June 23, unleashing thunderous festivity. Kick off is at 10 a.m.