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For nearly a month, millions of Mexicans allowed themselves to believe that this World Cup would be historic.
They dared to dream big as the national team piled up victory after victory in the impregnable Estadio Azteca.
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Then they woke up to a cruel reality on Monday morning: the World Cup was continuing without Mexico. El Tri lost 3-2 to England in a thrilling round of 16 match on Sunday night and officially dispersed in the morning.
Fans begrudgingly returned to their daily routines, with their team now out of the running, and their country no longer hosting a tournament that will continue for another two weeks in the United States.
“It is painful because we dreamed and we got our hopes up, and falling in this way hurts a lot,” said Mexican coach Javier Aguirre. “It wasn't meant to be, and it's a shame because of the excitement the people had; we couldn't deliver and give them one more night of joy.”
El peso de la historia
Mexico hosted the opening ceremony and the first match on June 11, winning 2-0 over South Africa. Following that, they defeated South Korea 1-0, thrashed the Czech Republic 3-0, and overcame Ecuador 2-0 in the round of 32, Mexico's first win in a knockout phase in 40 years.
But they stumbled in the round of 16 for the eighth time in the last nine World Cups. The only exception was 2022 in Qatar, where El Tri failed to advance past the group stage.
“It’s not easy to cross that barrier like everyone thinks, but we are on the right path and we have to learn from our mistakes; the coming process will be better than this one,” said midfielder Erik Lira. “This time it was different because it is one of the best functioning national teams; we leave with our heads held high.”
But unlike previous disappointments—meltdowns in the final minutes against Germany in 1998 and the Netherlands in 2014, and the penalty shootout disaster against Bulgaria in 1994—this elimination happened at home and with every advantage.
Mexico arrived on the back of a four-game winning streak without conceding a goal. The Azteca was fully behind El Tri. And the altitude of Mexico City was expected to hinder an unacclimated England. Then, a red card left England a man down for most of the second half.
Pero México no pudo capitalizarlo.
“It didn’t hurt as much to lose the match because it was England; this time it hurt more because it really did seem possible to go further,” said Eduardo Juárez, a 63-year-old retiree who was still wearing his green jersey on Monday. “There was a great team and we were hopeful, but it’s over now.”
On Monday morning, Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, took advantage of her daily press conference to offer words of comfort to the country.
“They played very, very well, and besides, the moment Mexico lived (is) one of great pride, hope, unity… we must keep our spirits up, recognize the effort, and keep moving forward,” Sheinbaum affirmed.
¿Qué sigue para El Tri?
With Mexico's participation finished, Aguirre's contract has expired. According to the federation's original roadmap, his assistant—Rafael Márquez, the former Barcelona center-back—is set to take the reins during the cycle leading up to the 2030 World Cup.
Márquez has a signed agreement in principle, but his official appointment must still be ratified by the owners of the 18 first-division clubs of Liga MX. This review will take place next month after Aguirre submits his final report on the tournament.
“I had Rafa as a player, now as a colleague, and he is more than qualified,” Aguirre indicated. “I have put myself at his disposal for whatever he wants. He is a valuable person; he will demonstrate it and hopefully he does better than what we were able to do with me.”
For Mexico's fans, that transition will become the new anchor for their dashed hopes.
[Publicidad]