Mexico and the U.S. have always had a rivalry when it comes to soccer, but on Tuesday night the U.S. national team gave Mexico another chance at qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The USMNT was down 2-1 against Panama Tuesday night when coming into stoppage time. In order to have a chance at qualifying for the World Cup for the first time, the Panama national team needed to get a win against the U.S. The U.S. men were able to rally in the 91st and 92nd minute of stoppage time, scoring two goals back to back and giving the U.S. a victory. This meant that the Panamanians no longer had a chance at the world cup, but this was great news for the Mexican National team.
According to ESPN FC, USMNT coach Jurgen Klinsmann said, “It shows how brutal football can be. For one side that’s almost there, and then the other side is back in. Now obviously you feel for the people. You feel for an entire country.”
Mexico lost their game 2-1 against Costa Rica on Tuesday night, but with the point standings and the U.S. win, they are able to get another chance with a game coming up against New Zealand.
Yahoo Sports! reports that an hour after the matches ended, both “#yourewelcomemexico” and “gracias Estados Unidos” were trending on Twitter.