Mexico was thisclose—no, really, THIS$^%&*#@CLOSE!!!—to missing out on the 2014 World Cup last night. Mexico lost to Costa Rica 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier and needed the U.S. team to either beat Panama outright or, at the very least, play to a draw in order to enable Mexico to finish in fourth place in CONCACAF qualifying and advance to a playoff against New Zealand for a spot in the World Cup next summer.
But in the 83rd minute of the U.S./Panama match, with things all tied up 1-1, Panama's Luis Tejada did this to give Panama a 2-1 advantage:
And things did not look good for Mexico. In fact, Twitter exploded with folks pretty much writing Mexico off:
Panama scored which means if Mexico does not score in 8 mins they're done!
I'm done watching this BULLSHIT HOW EMBARRASSING MEXICO
There were also some people who worried about the riots that might take place in Mexico if their team didn't qualify for the 2014 World Cup:
4 minutes til crazy riots in Mexico!
Next week in Mexico: Riots.
Wow Mexico about to be eliminated from the World Cup net Summer. There is about to be Riots in the streets of Mexico City!
But then, three minutes into stoppage time of the U.S./Panama match, USA's Graham Zusi did this for the U.S. team and tied the game up 2-2:
And suddenly, things were looking up for Mexico again and the World Cup looked well within their grasp again:
Aaaaaaaaand Graham Zusi is the most popular man in Mexico. #USAvPAN
Mexico owes Graham Zusi a statue. Immediately.
Graham Zusi will never have a bag of urine ever thrown at him again in Mexico City.
And just one minute later, USA's Aron Johannsson made sure that Mexico would get a chance to play themselves into the World Cup by doing this:
That's right. Within the span of about a minute, Mexico went from down and out to alive and well, thanks to their hated rivals:
Aron Jóhannsson The Guy scored the winning goal for USA tonight is a future star. And thanks by the way
So conflicted watching that #USMNT game but LOVE how the boys didn't just lay down. Congrats to Aron Jóhannsson on his 1st goal!
What a cold-blooded goal by Aron Johannsson at the death to bury poor Panama. US wins un-needed game. Panama eliminated. Mexico lives. #wow
Happy to get a win against Panama, the official U.S. Soccer Twitter feed trolled Mexico for a few minutes:
Mexico spared through no real effort of their own. Now a chance to snag some frequent flier miles before the holidays with a trip to NZL!
Do your part, #USMNT fans! RT @NZ_Football: Grab the last few seats for #AllWhites v Mexico in Wellington on 11/20 http://t.co/fPE1b2Bvzx
Thanks for following tonight, #USMNT fans! We'll leave you with this: pic.twitter.com/gkICeI6h2M
American soccer fans did, too, as they let Mexico know exactly why they're going to play New Zealand in a playoff now, courtesy of a #YoureWelcomeMexico hashtag:
Feel bad for Panama, but the #USMNT pulled out a win. #YoureWelcomeMexico
#YoureWelcomeMexico Just don't lose to New Zealand and make it even more hilarious.
Wow we just smashed all the hopes & dreams of Panamanian soccer fans for a good bit of time #YoureWelcomeMexico
#YoureWelcomeMexico #I'mSorryPanama att. USA
The USA scored two goals in the last minute of the game to put Mexico in the World Cup unbelievable #YoureWelcomeMexico
This awesome T-shirt popped up as well:
But something tells us that Mexico doesn't care what people are saying about them on Twitter right now. Just check out some of the newspaper covers from this morning:
At one point last night, Mexico's World Cup hopes and dreams were basically just minutes away from being taken off life support. But now, they have a second chance to try and make it to the World Cup thanks to the U.S. What a wild night in the world of soccer.
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