RECIFE, Brazil — Mexico's celebration was eight months in coming.
One of the last teams into the World Cup after a dismal performance in qualifying, El Tri advanced to the round of 16 on Monday with a 3-1 victory over Croatia. Fans sprayed beer and littered the field with cups after Andres Guardado scored the second goal, and coach Miguel Herrera was so excited he tackled Paul Aguilar as he tried to hug him.
No matter that Mexico, as the second-place team in Group A, will have to face the mighty Netherlands, winner of Group B. After needing help just to get to Brazil, Mexico proved it definitely belonged.
Even with Brazil on points, Mexico needed only a tie to advance. Instead, it played with the fury of a team that needed both a win and several goals. Urged on by thousands of Mexico fans who made the Arena Pernambuco feel like a mini-Azteca with their green jerseys, cheers, songs and whistles, El Tri steadily chipped away at the Croatian defense until a goal seemed inevitable.
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Players and fans alike were livid when referee Ravshan Irmatov didn't call an obvious handball in the area by Croatia captain Darijo Srna in the 64th minute. But Mexico got its payback eight minutes later, when Rafa Marquez headed in a corner kick by Hector Herrera.
Three minutes later, Andres Guardado doubled the score with a shot off the side of his left foot. When Chicharito scored in the 82nd, it looked as if Mexico might have a chance to win the group on goal differential. But Ivan Perisic ended those hopes with a goal in the 87th.
It was the first goal conceded by Mexico at the World Cup.
But it hardly matters. Not after how far Mexico has come.
El Tri beat Brazil for the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics, and cruised through the first round of World Cup qualifying. But they fell apart in the final round, and looked set to miss the World Cup when they lost to Costa Rica on the final day of qualifying.
But their old nemesis, the Americans, came to their rescue, beating Panama to send Mexico to a playoff with New Zealand.
Herrera took over before the playoff, and has turned Mexico around. El Tri has lost just twice under Herrera, both tuneups against fellow World Cup teams as Herrera tried to fine-tune his roster.
