Upset over Germany sets Mexican hopes soaring

Mexico is starting to dream big after beating defending World Cup champions Germany.

The 1-0 win was among the biggest victories in Mexican football history and is giving their players confidence they could reach the quarter-finals in Russia or beyond.

Mexico have been eliminated in the round of 16 at the past six World Cups.

“I don’t know if we’ve sent a message to other teams but internally, we’ve spread a clear message that that we can and are completely capable of competing with anyone,” defender Miguel Layun said yesterday. “It helps us to know we’re capable and that when we work together, we can accomplish anything.”

Mexico’s biggest international success was winning gold at the 2012 London Olympics.

Coming into Russia, fans didn’t have high hopes of going far in the World Cup. But that changed with Monday’s victory.

“The feeling is indescribable because no one really expected much from us. I think we’re the only ones who believed in ourselves,” said midfielder Jonathan Dos Santos.

“We have made history in a way that no one ever has. Starting out on the right foot was good for us and there’s a long way to go but we’re doing well.”

Mexico hasn’t made it past the second round since the 1986 World Cup, when they were hosts and reached the quarter-finals.

This generation of Mexican footballers, however, has the most players — 15 — from leagues outside their home country.

“We didn’t come to Russia just to beat Germany and go home. We hope to beat South Korea and leave all negativity in the past,” said forward Javier Hernandez, referring to Mexico’s next match in Rostov on Sunday. “We have the mindset to achieve. [Germany] was just a first step on the way to the final.” — AP