Skip to content
Mexico

Even Mexico loss couldn’t ruin ‘Noche de Mexico’ at Shell Energy

More than 20,000 attend Mexico watch party

HOUSTON — Hours before Mexico and England kicked off in Mexico City, Shell Energy Stadium’s upper‑deck balcony was draped in Mexican flags. Beside them, hand‑made signs with “¿Y si sí?” written fluttered each time the crowd roared for El Tri Sunday evening. 

Below them, a steady stream of green, white, and red jerseys moved through the concourse as families, friends and longtime supporters sang along to Vicente Fernández’s iconic “Volver, Volver” playing in the background. 

By the end of the night, the celebration turned into heartbreak. Mexico fell 3–2, ending its World Cup run, and England moved on to face Norway in the next round.

“Oh, man, it’s like no other,“ El Tri fan Adam Escobedo said. “The Mexico fan base here is amazing. The food’s great, the energy, as you can tell, is awesome. Like you’re not going to find no experience like here. Fanfest is cool, but Shell Stadium is where it’s at.”

England jumped on Mexico early

The moment forward Jude Bellingham scored, the celebration inside Shell Energy Stadium thinned. The chants softened, then rose again as El Tri supporters pushed back with “¡Sí se puede! ¡Sí se puede!” to rally their team.

Moments later, Bellingham scored again, and the reaction was immediate. More than 20,000 fans stared at the stadium screens in disbelief.

El Tri supporters stayed loud, and minutes later forward Julián Quiñones gave them their moment, scoring Mexico’s first goal. The place erupted. Water, beer and sodas flew through the air as the crowd let loose.

MORE FROM OUR ESQUINA

James Rodriguez catches World Cup fever from wife Marbella

Suite life – Benny Agosto ready for World Cup in Houston

Oranje Bus fan walk brings Houston, Netherlands together

“There was a lot of good vibes, a good ambiente, and just simply the entertainment,” Yvette Herrera said. “Even the fact that there were dancers, there were mariachis, and everybody was singing along, everybody was paying attention to the different entertainment, the music.

“There was a moment where the DJ and everybody was dancing as well.”

Mexico City vibes

Even with a weather alert, Mexico fans remained rocking in the stands, not wanting to miss a moment of the match.

The crowd’s energy dipped again as forward Harry Kane scored a penalty. The El Tri faithful erupted once more when forward Raúl Jiménez answered with a penalty of his own.

In the end, Mexico was eliminated from the World Cup. The crowd walked away defeated by the loss but still chanting “¡México! ¡México!” as they exited the stadium.

“Today was crazy,” soccer fan Max Garrett said. “The Mexican people, they honestly put on a good game. They fought ‘till the very end. I honestly thought they were going to take it there.

“Everyone is here for Mexico. 10 out of 10 experience. I’d do it again. I wasn’t even at the game, but it felt like I was there.”

Padilla & Rodriguez

Stay in the Loop

Get the Our Esquina Email Newsletter

By submitting your email, you are agreeing to receive additional communications and exclusive content from Our Esquina. You can unsubscribe at any time.