Mexico needed this.
Barely had the whistle signalled the end of the Olympics soccer final, and those bright gold medals had yet to be hung on 18 broad-grinned athletes, when thousands of Mexicans filled city squares across the country, in song, revelry and a rare moment of unmitigated celebration.
In the game at Wembley Stadium, most Brazilian players hadn't even touched the ball and the team was already losing 1-0 at the men's Olympic football final Saturday.
The Brazilians acknowledged they were shaken by Mexico's goal just 29 seconds into the match and said it affected the team's chances of recovering. It was the fastest Olympic goal since FIFA began keeping record of the competition in 1976.
Brazil never got back into the match and ended up losing 2-1, missing yet another opportunity to win the Olympic football gold for the first time.
"We were caught offguard," captain Thiago Silva said. "It took us a while to regroup after conceding a goal so early. It's hard to get back into the game after something like that happens."
It was Mexico's first gold medal in the 2012 Olympic Games. Its first-ever medal of any colour in men's soccer, a sport that is an unrivalled national passion.
And against Brazil!
In restaurants, on the streets and from their homes, Mexicans cheered and broke into a favourite folk song, Cielito Lindo. They blew horns, tooted whistles and hugged anyone in sight, amid shouts of "Viva Mexico!"
With all the country's troubles - a deadly drug war, sluggish economy and uncertain political transition - Saturday's triumph over favoured Brazil was validation and respite.
"This will be encouragement for the entire country," said Jose Luis Calderon, 34, who runs a security company. "It tells us yes, we can!"
After that sweetest of victories, a human tide swept into the plaza around Mexico City's iconic Angel of Independence, an imposing statue as golden as those medals. "Campeones! Campeones!" (Champions!) they shouted in unison, waving flags and oversized sombreros, many dressed in the green jerseys of their team.
Mexican President Felipe Calderon joined in the flood of congratulatory notes, saying via Twitter: "Gold for Mexico in soccer, a historic achievement for our country. We are happy and proud of our team."
