MEXICO CITY -- Ecstatic Mexican soccer fans Tuesday poured into the streets to celebrate their national team's 3-1 victory against Japan and advance to the final at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
On Saturday, Mexico plays Brazil, which also won its match Tuesday against South Korea 3-1.
Excitement over Mexico's match at London's Wembley Stadium, at 11 am local time (1600 GMT), turned into elation when the Latin American team scored its third goal against Japan in injury time.
Televisions throughout the city, including at restaurants, bars, shopping malls and street markets, were tuned in to the game as Mexico won its chance to fight for the gold medal Saturday.
"This is the best thing that could happen to us, reaching a finals game at the London Olympics," a fan told Xinhua while watching the game on a giant screen set up at Mexico City's main square.
At a market in the south of the city, fan Jose Murillo said "I'm very happy, this has to be celebrated at 'The Angel'," referring to a central monument where Mexicans traditionally converge to celebrate soccer victories, as well as protests, vigils and other mass events.
During major matches, police invariably circle the statue to protect it from celebrating fans wreaking havoc, and Tuesday was no exception.
As news of the victory spread, hundreds of cheering fans carrying the national flag gathered at the site as a local police contingent stood guard.
Passing motorists, meanwhile, honked, waved or whistled in support.
"We are going for the gold medal, we will defeat any rival," said a taxi driver who heard the game over his radio.
A fruit vendor in the city's southern San Angel district told Xinua "It's a great victory and that has to be celebrated at The Angel ... That's how we will cheer on our soccer players to give it their all so they can win the gold."
