By FRANCO PANIZO
Rafa Marquez may have had next to nothing to say about the U.S. Men’s National Team’s late-game heroics in Panama that saved Mexico’s World Cup hopes, but Mexican media had more than enough.
A day after the U.S. came from behind to post a 3-2 victory over Panama that saved arch-rivals El Tri from avoiding a disastrous World Cup qualification elimination, several news outlets in Mexico expressed what seemed like eternal gratitude for the Americans on Wednesday. Multiple major Mexican newspapers had covers thanking the U.S. and accompanied those messages by plastering the face of many of Mexico’s frustrations in this round of qualifying, struggling forward Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez.
Mexican outlet MedioTiempo.com joined in on the fun, posting a comical cartoon on Wednesday morning of an amused American parent snatching the golden ticket to next month’s two-legged play-off out of his heartbroken Panamanian son’s hands and handing it to his teary-eyed but relieved infant Mexican son while saying, ‘Here you go. Don’t cry. Who’s my spoiled child? Huh? Who?’. The title of the cartoon: Good Daddy.
None of that may compare, however, to the in-game commentary that took place on a Mexican broadcast as the U.S. scored twice in stoppage to eliminate Panama and keep El Tri alive just when they seemed to be doomed for an embarrassing exit from qualifying. TV Azteca announcer Christian Martinoli goes on a loud rant after Graham Zusi scores the 92nd-minute equalizer for the U.S., praising the Americans’ skill and attitude and saying that they are the best team in CONCACAF, all while lambasting the Mexico head coach Victor Manuel Vucetich and his players.
For those who do not speak Spanish, Deadspin provided a full translated transcript of Martinoli’s epic commentary that rivals the Honduras call in 2009 that came as Jonathan Bornstein scored a last-gasp equalizer in a qualifier vs. Costa Rica to push the Catrachos through to the 2010 World Cup.
U.S. Soccer may not be a Mexican outlet, but it is also worth noting that its Twitter feed began to comically poke fun at its southern rivals after the conclusion of Tuesday night’s dramatic matches. One tweet that said “#YoureWelcomeMexico” was even sent to the Mexican national team’s official Twitter handle.
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What do you think of Mexico’s reaction to advancing to a two-legged play-off because of the U.S.? Which is your favorite cover, image or moment out of the ones listed above? Planning on bragging about this to your Mexican friends for years to come?
Share your thoughts below.