The electric atmosphere of the World Cup had barely begun in Mexico City when it became clear that something was amiss – or rather, not quite what the country's passionate football faithful were craving. A 2-0 victory over South Africa, while a welcome start, couldn't shake off the feeling of relief among some fans, who felt like they'd witnessed a more 'Mexican' celebration than a truly international spectacle.
It transpired that many of those in attendance from wealthier areas were actually expats from the US, leaving regular Liga MX supporters struggling to get tickets due to prohibitively high prices – one South African family paid a whopping $1,000 each for theirs. The result was an unbalanced and somewhat subdued atmosphere in the stadium.
But the excitement is building once more as Mexico prepares to face South Korea on Thursday night in Guadalajara, with anticipation running high among fans eager to see their team spark into life against a determined opponent. This fixture promises to be a vibrant encounter, driven by the special bond between Mexican and Korean supporters – one forged in the fire of a World Cup classic from 2018, when South Korea's stunning 2-0 win over Germany propelled Mexico into the last 16.
The memories of that day still linger, with chants of "¡Coreano, hermano, ya eres mexicano!" (Korean, brother, you are Mexican now!) ringing out among jubilant fans. And it seems this camaraderie has been reignited in Guadalajara, where South Korean supporters – buoyed by their own 2-1 victory over Czechia in the group stages – have received a warm welcome.
Manager Javier Aguirre will be keen to capitalise on the energy surrounding his team's next match, but he also faces some tough decisions ahead of kick-off. Captain César Montes' suspension following that late red card against South Africa means Edson Álvarez is set to start in central defence, while Jorge Sánchez could come in for Israel Reyes at right-back and 17-year-old Gil Mora might replace Brian Gutiérrez in midfield.
The team's preparations haven't been without their challenges – a storm interrupted their final training session on the specially designed Guadalajara turf. Yet as they prepare to take to the pitch, one thing is certain: only a winning performance will ignite the celebratory spark that Mexican fans are craving.