Special: FIFA WORLD CUP GERMANY 2006>>>

Mexican President Vicente Fox Quesada sent a congratulatory message on Sunday to the Mexican soccer team in Germany, following their 3-1 defeat of Iran in a Nuremberg World Cup match earlier on Sunday.

Speaking from his ranch in San Cristobal, in the central Mexico state of Guanajuato, Fox congratulated the players individually and severally, including those on the substitutes bench.

"It gave us all great pleasure to see this Mexican team victory," Fox said. He said it showed "hard work, team work, great fortitude, and great self-confidence."

After thanking everyone he said: "Bravo three times Bravo for those goals we saw you score." Omar Bravo scored twice for the team.

He also thanked by name Brazil-born Antonio Naelson, known as Sinha, who scored Mexico's third goal with a late header sealing the victory, and then added: "But, I repeat, this is (a game) for team work."

"You are energizing us: all of Mexico. You make us feel proud. And I know that we will win. I know we will do better. We are with you and all of Mexico is with you. I wish you luck and much more success," Fox said.

Editor: Donald