“Coreano, hermano, ya eres mexicano” is the most resounding slogan in the streets of Russia and Mexico right now. It is Spanish for “Korean, brother, you are now Mexican.”
South Korea vs. Germany proved to be a miraculously unexpected aid for El Tri.
The Asian side beat the world champion 2-0, leaving Die Mannschaft out of the World Cup at the group stage for the first time in their history.
The unexpected result propelled Mexico into the round of 16 even after El Tri was absolutely crushed by Sweden 3-0 in Ekaterinburg.
Ahead of the game, Mexico needed only a tie to secure the first spot in group F. However, the Swedes delivered a masterclass performance that left El Tri with no chance to react.
In the other game of the group, South Korea and Germany were tied 0-0, thanks largely to an outstanding performance by goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo but a single goal from Germany would have meant elimination for El Tri.
Mexican fans were therefore anguishly following the South Korea-Germany match on their smartphones as El Tri's fate was no longer on their hands.
And then lightning struck: News came South Korea had scored against Germany.
Just look at how feverishly they celebrated the goal.
Así celebró la afición mexicana el gol de Corea en Kazan, México califica segundo, gracias a Corea del Sur #MexicovsSuecia https://t.co/kEFbvyaVu7 pic.twitter.com/IDTfwT5P8o
— Sopitas (@sopitas) 27 de junio de 2018
For this reason, Mexican fans all around the world ended up cheering for South Korea more frantically than Koreans in Seoul.
Some say an image is worth a thousand words so let’s just enjoy the meme explosion expressing Mexican gratitude to South Korea.
#MEX + #KOR fans =
: @shuerta_2 pic.twitter.com/8I015K5EJ6— The18 (@the18com) June 27, 2018
And then some images of Mexican fans celebrating at El Zócalo, Mexico City's main square, carrying an allegedly Korean man on shoulders.
SOMOS LOS MAS CHINGONES DEL MUNDO#MexicovsSuecia
— mar misses Harry • LO VI • (@sweetietxmlins) 27 de junio de 2018
And then Mexican fans cheering for just about any fellow that seemed like he could probably be from Korea (?).
Esto si pasó, esta pasando #Verificado
“Corea, hermano, ya eres mexicano”#MexicoVsSuecia pic.twitter.com/iaEU6MbHo0— BuzzFeed News México (@BuzzFeedNewsMex) June 27, 2018
Mexican fans celebrating outside South Korea's embassy in Mexico City.
#MexicovsSuecia no se pasen. Si fueron a la embajada @BTS_twt pic.twitter.com/qsQwV8kxW6
— denis.V 석진 (@smoke_girl94) 27 de junio de 2018
And then some hilarious memes.
YO EN LOS ÚLTIMOS MINUTOS DEL PARTIDO.#MexicoVsSuecia pic.twitter.com/a7GlkWG6I9
— jessie's girl | (@TR4VISM4DDOX) 27 de junio de 2018
Antes del partido / Después del partido.#MexicovsSuecia pic.twitter.com/qrggZ83DkG
— Politécnico (@polituitts) 27 de junio de 2018
Nunca olvidaremos esto, Corea.
Gracias por el esfuerzo.#MexicovsSuecia pic.twitter.com/QuixwihCrJ— s e i @ TRI (@nSEIfw) 27 de junio de 2018
Eternal friendship was forged today between Mexico and South Korea.
México y Corea #MexicovsSuecia pic.twitter.com/ogZaLjHaLM
— dulce (@outros__her) 27 de junio de 2018
Sweden ended on top of Group F, with Mexico following in second place.
South Korea finished third and, unbelievably, world champion Germany finished last are therefore eliminated from the tournament.
Mexico will never forget the day South Korea saved us from utter catastrophe.