Music, flavors, culture and celebration defined the Latin-style festivities held at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum last Tuesday.
More than 50,000 fans gathered at the stadium, starting at 2:30 p.m. with a fan event called “Fútbol Fiesta,” which featured games, food, and a tribute to Guillermo Ochoa, during which the veteran goalkeeper received a commemorative plaque and a national team jersey bearing his historic number 13. The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. and concluded with a friendly post-game celebration among Mexican and Chilean fans around 10:00 p.m.
The area surrounding the stadium was filled with flags, songs, and street vendors who kept busy until the end of the match. Hot dogs, tacos, themed stuffed animals, and “luchador” masks were just some of the items for sale outside the Coliseum.
Uncertainty gripped the crowd during the first half, as the score remained at 0-0. In the 54th minute, Maximiliano Gutiérrez brought fans to their feet by scoring the opening goal for Chile, followed by another Chilean goal from Vicente Pizarro in the 65th minute.
Roberto Norambuena, a 76-year-old Redondo Beach resident originally from Chile, has supported the Chilean national team since childhood. For him, the team’s greatest strength is its youth.
“I like seeing young people play; both Chile and Mexico field young players—they are the future,” Norambuena said in Spanish.
Although the majority of the crowd wore Mexican jerseys, the support wasn’t enough to secure a win. After the 90th minute, with the score at 0–2, Mexican fans resigned themselves to the loss.
“You can tell it’s going to take time for them to get where they need to be,” Luis García, 55, said, a Mexico native and Whittier resident. “They need time to find a squad of players who want to play with real heart and soul... who have that drive.”
As the game ended, the stadium atmosphere was filled with mixed emotions. Some celebrated with renewed hope, while others felt a nostalgic longing for the Mexican team that had represented the country in the World Cup just a few months earlier.
However, this friendly match marks only the beginning of a long season for both teams.
“It was exciting, a bit disappointing, but win or lose, we’re here for the great atmosphere,” Jazmin Samyh, 25, said, a Mexican fan from South Central.
Leaving the stadium, Chileans, Mexicans, Angelenos, and soccer fans gathered to dance, celebrate, and perform the famous “¡Quiere volar, quiere volar!” (He wants to fly!), taking turns tossing each other into the air.
“At the end of the day, we are Mexico forever,” said Samyh.
“Long live Chile, long live Mexico!” said lifelong Chilean fan, Norambuena.
Mexico will play against Jamaica in November in a two-match series that will decide who advances to the CONCACAF Nations League Finals in March 2027. Meanwhile, Chile will face Colombia on November 13 in a friendly match as part of their preparation for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Edited by Emma Kahn and Daniela Mattson.