Opinion: Mexico may have lost but it won the hearts of the world

On Sunday, Mexico played against England in the knockout round of 16 of the World Cup. Even though it maintained control of the ball for the majority of the game and came really close to going further, it lost 2-3. 

What happened? Did coach Javier Aguirre make a mistake when he took out Julián Quiñones, who scored four goals total in the previous matches and tied with Mexico’s top scorers? I’m not a sports expert; I pop in to the World Cup and cheer for Mexico and whatever underdog teams are out there every four years, but I was puzzled when Quiñones stepped off the field. Why didn’t he add Armando “Hormiga” González, who is a top scorer? 

We may never know. But I’m still proud of the team. I’m proud of Quiñones, who is not afraid to kick the ball from wherever he stands. I’m proud of Gilberto Mora, who at 17 is one of the best midfielders Mexico has ever had. I’m proud of Raúl Jiménez, who fought against all adversity- a serious skull fracture, the loss of his father and still scored three goals for the team. The whole team did an amazing job and I know all of Mexico’s fans are with you. We know you fought until the last second. 

Until that last second, millions of Mexico’s fans held on to the hope. “Y si si?” was in the lips of everyone after a stellar, historic group phase where no team scored against Mexico and the team won all the matches. 

For the first time in the history of the World Cup, Mexico won all three of their first matches. 

That alone is an accomplishment, and personally, I’ve never felt such joy and pride. It was always one win, one tie and one loss. I expected the same, but it didn’t matter. I would have still worn the shirt. 

Sometimes, when they move on to the next stage, they usually lose. But we got five games this time. That’s more than ever. Sure, there were more teams this year and they added their hydration pauses to add more advertising time. The FIFA World Cup has doubled its earnings and still wants more. Sure, there are plenty of items to criticize about the event and I’m glad that the parents still looking for their loved ones were able to have some amount of platform in Mexico, even if others think it’s not the time or place. 

But this time the world got to experience México Mágico, the warmth and energy that Mexican people have and the love of the game. Mexico hosted Iran’s team, who said they were very grateful for Mexico’s hospitality. 

Mexico may still need a lot more to be on par with European teams. It may never get there. But the love and the energy that Mexico shares with its team will never be equaled and Mexico as host of the World Cup won the hearts of all the fans and teams that played and stayed in the country.