Granville Street erupts as Mexico's historic World Cup win electrifies downtown

Granville Street became a sea of green, white, and red Tuesday night as tens of thousands of Mexican soccer fans poured into Downtown Vancouver's entertainment district after Mexico defeated Ecuador 1–0 in the round of 32 match held in Mexico City — marking the country's first FIFA World Cup knockout-stage win since 1986.

The celebration was easily the most euphoric party yet on Granville Street during the tournament period, with fans dancing, chanting, and singing through the evening and well into Wednesday morning. A giant inflatable Día de los Muertos-style figure floated above the crowd, while fans in sombreros and face paint filled every corner of the vehicle-free street.

At one point, a dense crowd spanning about half a city block broke into a synchronized line dance. Fans repeatedly tossed people high into the air, catching them safely — a recurring sight throughout the World Cup celebrations, but nothing compared to the frequency Tuesday night. The constant launching of jubilant supporters looked, as one observer noted, like kernels of Mexican popcorn popping above a sea of green, white, and red.

The result carried special weight for Mexican supporters. After repeatedly reaching the knockout stage, the country had endured a 40-year drought without a knockout-round victory. Tuesday's win sent Mexico into the round of 16 and gave its Vancouver fans a once-in-a-generation reason to celebrate. Mexico will face England in the next knockout match on July 7 in Mexico City, after England defeated DR Congo on Tuesday.

Granville Street has been Vancouver's main gathering point throughout the tournament, but the intensity and scale of Tuesday's Mexican celebration surpassed anything seen on the street during the FIFA World Cup period so far.