Hundreds of Mexicans in Shenzhen gathered at Mexican bars and restaurants across the city to cheer on their team in a surprise 1-0 win in their 2018 World Cup match against Germany on Sunday night.
“What happened yesterday? Mexico surprised the whole world,” said Christian Saldana Cruz, who is the owner of the Mexican restaurant Bésame Mucho in Nanshan District, where around 60 Mexicans watched the match.
“Mexico plays against the odds. So most people, even including the Mexicans around the world, believed Germany might crush Mexico. But our national team gave us the best surprise ever,” he said.
“Germany is one of the most difficult teams ever, so everyone at Bésame Mucho ended up nervous, because we don’t want to be disappointed, but once again Mexico sweated the shirt, played with heart and gave us the most exciting surprise ever,” said Saldana.
Francisco Javier Silva Elias, manager of customer service at Globex Asia and president of the Network of Mexicans China Chapter, was one of the Mexicans watching the game at Bésame Mucho.
“We knew Germany is famous as a big fierce opponent — they won the last World Cup — and in their first game of last four World Cups they crushed the opponents. So expectations were low, hope was very thin among the crowd. It was more of, ‘I am here to support and hopefully see a good match,’” said Silva.
“And oh boy, we did watch a great match! Mexico was pushing since the first five minutes of the game. After many tries, towards the end of the first half, the impossible, the first goal of the match ... from Mexico! All the Mexicans jumped from their place,” said Silva, still excited from the game.
“It was our first match in this World Cup, and it is just the beginning of the World Cup ... but for Mexicans last night, that game was like if we already won the World Cup!” Silva said.
Victor Josué Monter Castellanos lost 200 yuan (US$32) betting Germany would win, but felt super happy for his country’s victory.
“It’s a great step for our country because Germany is a difficult rival. It’s something nobody expected. Now in the media in Mexico they only talk about the match, nothing is more important, not even politics. The election of our new president is very near, but in front of the news that Mexico won over Germany, that was not so important,” said Monter.
Neto Trevino, manager of the Mexican restaurant Tequila Coyote’s, said around 200 people watched the match at the restaurant, 80 percent of whom were Mexicans with only two Germans.
“We made history. I am happy to live that moment in our place surrounded by our people. One voice, one cheer. Did you know that an earthquake was registered in Mexico after the goal?” said Trevino.
German Jerrit Pfitzner watched the game at Boathouse on Wanghai Road.
“Mexico is the strongest of the other three teams in the group, and South American teams are known to be tough. I was a bit worried about the game, though I would not have thought Germany would lose it,” said Pfitzner.
“I still believe Germany will make it to the next round. So far, only Spain and Portugal have shown their potential, so it promises to be an interesting World Cup with a lot of surprises,” said Pfitzner.
