Across Mexico and fan hubs around the globe, jubilant supporters of the Mexican men’s national football team have poured into streets, packed stadium viewing parties, and flooded social media with celebrations after a historic milestone. El Tri secured a spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Round of 16, marking the first time the squad has claimed a knockout-stage victory at the tournament in 36 years. The last time Mexico advanced past the tournament’s opening knockout round came in 1986, when the country hosted the World Cup and went on to reach the quarterfinals, a drought that had hung over the program for decades. After the final whistle confirmed the result, fans waved green, white, and red flags, chanted team anthems, and set off fireworks in celebration, with many sharing personal stories of waiting their entire lives to see the national side break the long-standing knockout curse. The result sets Mexico up for a clash with one of the tournament’s top remaining contenders in the next round, with millions already gearing up to back El Tri as they chase a deeper run in the World Cup. For long-suffering fans who have watched the team fall in the knockout round time and again since their 1986 run, the win represents a long-awaited breakthrough that has reignited belief in the program’s ability to compete with the world’s best football nations.