Mexico may be out of the World Cup, but fans are still in fútbol spirit

On Monday, during the day, crews in Mexico City were seen removing the giant screens around el Ángel de la Independencia and other nearby areas. 

The sentiment of defeat and silence was palpable, but fans were glad to have lived such an experience from near and far.

Dorian Almaraz traveled from Los Angeles to Mexico City to see the Sunday match of El Tri against England. 

This was the second match he was watching live after attending the Opening match of Mexico against South Africa on June 11. 

Despite Mexico's 3-2 loss to England, Almaraz said this is a memory he'll remember forever, especially because it was at the historic Estadio Azteca. 

He said he felt the victory was so close. He thought Mexico would win once England went down to ten players after defender Jarell Quansah received a red card, removing him from the pitch at minute 54.

"You have to give England a ton of credit for fighting through that, as well as dealing with an unforgiving atmosphere," Almaraz said.

He also said he was very proud of the Mexican team for their performance.

Despite the defeat in the round of 16 where Mexico was out of the World Cup, the camaraderie of the stadium was contagious among Mexicans and English before and after the game.  

There were also people from different countries and languages sharing the streets to walk to the stadium. Taking photos together or singing to the same song showed what fútbol is really about.

There was an estimate that Reforma Avenue gathered more than 1.3 million people Sunday night to watch the match on one of the many screens along the avenue.

An English fan named Max said he traveled alone to Mexico, but he felt welcomed. He found other English peers and Mexicans were treating him well despite being of the opposite team.

"I got here Friday morning and I'll be here for a week. Everyone has been so nice and is wishing us luck,” he said Sunday before the game.

Mexico fan Cesar Echeverria, member of Batalá Tepoztlan, a local Afro-Brazilian percussion band, said he was very excited to parade with his group and Batalá Ciudad de México to Estadio Azteca.

“We are marching, we are playing and making noise once inside the stadium,” he also said before the loss.

The rain and lightning did not deter the more than 80,000 fans who filled Estadio Azteca. The game was delayed for two hours, and once the match began, the rain slowed down.

That night, Mexico, the second host country, ended its bid for the World Cup. 

El Tri's coach, Javier Aguirre, also ended his time heading the group, with assistant coach Rafael Marquez taking over, leading up to the World Cup 2030.