Moscow: In spite of the stunning victory over defending champions Germany which has sent the entire nation into a frenzy, the Mexican players are maintaining their calm.
“We have to be calm. We still have two more games, and need to target our next rivals. We are doing good,” defender Carlos Salcedo said after Sunday’s win.
“We have to continue the same strength. It’s a good feeling to win your first World Cup match. We are on the right path, and we have to continue to work that will help us reach our goals,” added Salcedo.
Despite the stunning victory, Salcedo doesn’t want to be over-confident. “Sometimes you use confidence in a bad way. We want to keep the same mentality, be humble and positive,” he pointed out.
Javier Hernandez, who had played for Manchester United, echoed Salcedo’s opinion. “It’s a good beginning. We got three points, but that’s it,” said the man who is fondly called by the fans as ‘Chicharito’. “We need to have 100 per cent focus on the game against South Korea,” he added.
Mexico will play against South Korea in the second round action of Group F on Saturday. Meanwhile at Mexico City, thousands of jubilant Mexico supporters partied in the streets long into the night after their team’s victory – singing, dancing, blaring car horns and cheering the El Tri.
The earth literally moved in quake-prone Mexico City when Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano smashed home the game-winning goal – a football ‘earthquake of joy’. Seismologists said that they had detected an ‘artificial’ rumbling, possibly caused by ‘widespread jumping’ when the goal was scored.
“What happened today (Sunday) was an earthquake of joy for us – just imagine we beat the World Champions!” exclaimed Laura Villegas, a 45-year-old merchant who downed her beer with tequila in one gulp.
President Enrique Pena Nieto joined the party, saying on Twitter: “Confirmed: Mexico competes and wins against the best in the world, Congratulations to @miseleccionmx! Great match!(Sic).”
Unique feat
Moscow: Mexico captain Raia Marquez became only the third player to play at five World Cups after he came on as a substitute during Sunday’s 1-0 win against Germany. The 39-year-old defender came on in the 74th minute against Germany to equal the records of Mexico compatriot Antonio Carbajal and Germany’s Lothar Matthaus. Marquez who made his first appearance at the World Cup in 2002, plans to retire after the World Cup.