All Else Is Secondary in Afterglow of Victory
Thousands of soccer fans waving Mexican flags jumped for joy, sprayed one another with foam and ran victory laps around Mexico’s main plazas after the national soccer team qualified for the second round of the World Cup.
“We’re going to be champions!” screamed Uriel Sanchez, an 18-year-old sales clerk jumping up and down at Mexico City’s Angel of Independence monument.
In Guadalajara, a steady rain didn’t stop the celebration. Thousands of people ran around the Minerva monument with giant flags. Many were schoolchildren. Districts across Mexico allowed students to arrive late for class Thursday. Some said they didn’t plan on showing up at all.
“I had a test today, but I didn’t study because of the game,” said Ricardo Garcia. “But my teacher is a fan too, so he’ll understand.”
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