Mexico Beat Brazil: Why El Tri Proved They Can Challenge at World Cup 2014

It was a long way for Mexico. The 2012 Olympic champions had been preparing for this day for the last 12 months and they finally accomplished the feat.

Mexico have shown a lot of improvement with its under age teams. The under-17 have won the FIFA World Cup twice, while the U-20 grabbed the third place at the U-20 World Cup.

Today it was the under-23's that proved that Mexican history in football could change in the years to come. The next chance to do so is at the 2014 World Cup to be held in Brazil.

The best part of this is that many of these kids will be the backbone of the team.

The new generation is ready to step up, that's just a fact. What we saw today was the culmination of a year's work and the proof that better times will come.

Rafael Márquez won't make it to Brazil 2014, but don't worry you have Hiram Mier.

If Salcido decides to leave before the next World Cup, Héctor Herrera can cover him.

Then you have Javier Aquino to work through the sidelines and Marco Fabián to supply balls and finish plays.

Things are getting done and in what way.  Did you know that all of these guys play in Mexican clubs, apart from Giovani dos Santos,

We are talking about a superb performance from the youth programs.

Some of these players traveled to Argentina for the 2011 Copa América. The team was left out after the group stage, but even before the tournament started they had trouble.

Eight footballers brought girls to their rooms, which resulted in a six-month suspension and a fine. Marco Fabián was among them.

It seemed like one of the toughest blows for their careers, but when it was time to earn a spot in the team they did it in style.

The group won the Pan American Games, the CONCACAF Pre-Olympic and the Toulon Tournament.

There were some games in which Mexico seemed lost. However, the players kept their cool and fought hard.

Many Mexican teams have lacked of patience to keep the good work. As soon they receive a goal they cease to strive.

El Tri usually plays according to the rival—meaning Mexico wait and adjust to the other team's pace.

This time, El Tri was in control of the rhythm—dictating the conditions of the game.

Mexico's defense was superb. Israel Jiménez, Hiram Mier, Darvin Chávez and Diego Reyes proved that they have what they need to stop a rival like Brazil.

Neymar couldn't score despite having clear opportunities. Hiram Mier was the man who controlled the Santos striker, showing his style and elegance.

Mier was patient and led his defensive teammates to push the Brazilian attackers.

Oribe Peralta needed 29 seconds to score the opening goal. It was the reflection of this team's mentality.

Mexico came out like never before: focused, with passion and accuracy. The footballers played their game and never looked back. 

South Korea, Gabon, Switzerland, Senegal, Japan and Brazil—those were the rivals. But the name didn't matter because El Tri knew what to do to grab the gold medal.

They believe in themselves to pull through and work as a team.