Euphoria in Mexico City after first World Cup knockout win in 40 years

MEXICO CITY (CN) — Hundreds of thousands packed onto the Mexican capital’s main boulevard Tuesday night after Mexico beat Ecuador 2-0 at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium to give the men’s national team its first knockout victory in 40 years.

Anticipation started to build in the late afternoon, as car horns blared and the citywide earthquake alert system loudspeakers made repeated announcements about street closures and crowd status. The voice of the loudspeaker reported the Zócalo — the central plaza hosting a public watch party of 55,000 — was already completely full.

Thunderheads darkened the skies as the event approached, punctuated by flashes of lightning, as the unfazed crowds simply pulled out their ponchos. FIFA, the global soccer governing body, announced a one-hour delay due to the electrical storm. Public stages continued their programming of amateur rap battles and DJ sets of classic songs in Mexican pop culture.

Diego Osorno, at La Escena de Bucareli bar to watch the game with friends, said he was nervous but feeling positive.

“I think we’re going to come out like we did last game offensively and give it our all,” said Osorno.

After a longer wait than normal, and a long day of anticipation for the whole city — school and work were canceled — the national anthems were sung and the game finally began to applause, blaring horns and shouting.

The crowds at the bar fell quiet as they watched.

Not far into the game, Mexico’s attack paid off. Their Colombian-born winger, Julián Quiñones, scored the opening goal that sent beers flying. The atmosphere quickly changed from nervous to festive. The team scored again soon after courtesy of forward Raúl Jiménez and staved off Ecuador in the second half.

After the final whistle, fans flooded out into the streets toward the traditional meeting place to celebrate a sports victory in Mexico City: the Angel of Independence on Reforma Avenue.

“Vámonos al Ángel!” the crowd at the bar chanted as they took to the streets.

Brandon Manuel and two of his friends took in the scene on Reforma, having watched the game at one of the many massive screens set up in the streets for public viewing.

“They played great, just as they should have and without getting scored on,” said Manuel as thousands cheered, whistled, blew plastic trumpets, honked horns and revved motorcycle engines.

Mexico has won all four of its games and has not allowed a single goal in any so far. The team will face off against England in the round of 16 on Sunday night, also at Azteca Stadium.

“The truth is, I expected Mexico to win but they played much better than I thought they would,” said  Daniel González on Reforma Avenue. “England’s got nothing on us!”

Stephanie Hernández Aburto pointed to Mexico’s home field advantage.

“Just remember, if we play England, we will be at Estadio Azteca on Sunday on Mexican soil. Viva México!” she said.

The legendary soccer venue, Azteca Stadium, stands at 7,300 feet above sea level and is the only stadium to have ever hosted three World Cups: in 1970, 1986 and this year. Often referred to as the “cathedral of football,” it is the largest stadium in Latin America, with a capacity of nearly 90,000. The Mexican national team has never lost a World Cup match at the stadium (eight wins, two ties), which is known for its loud, frenzied atmosphere and hostility toward visiting teams.

Aldo Jair Montiel Peña, a bartender at Bar La Escena de Bucareli that showed the World Cup match on Tuesday night, said he was mostly glad about the festive atmosphere of the games and hopes they continue.

“I’m really happy because I’ve seen so many people from all over the world. I love the atmosphere that’s being created thanks to the World Cup. We Mexicans have a really, really cool vibe,” he said as he served beers for a packed bar glued to the screen.