The earth literally moved in quake-prone Mexico City when Hirving "Chucky" Lozano smashed home the game-winning goal in the 35th minute at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium -- a football "earthquake of joy." Seismologists said that they had detected an "artificial" rumbling, possibly caused by "widespread jumping" when the goal was scored.
Though there weren’t any government confirmations on the earthquake being caused by the goal celebrations, a non-government organisation in Mexico, the Institute for Geological and Atmospherical Investigations claimed in its report that it had substantial evidence that the goal celebrations led to an artificial earthquake.
On Sunday, the institute tweeted seismographic readings highlighting the activity at the time when Mexicans celebrated what would be the decisive goal scored by striker Hirving Lozano. It attributed the cause possibly to celebratory "massive jumps" in a post that got more than 27,000 retweets.
At least two of its sensors inside Mexico City detected a seismic movement during the World Cup match, "most likely produced by the massive celebration," according to the institute's blog post.
Thousands of jubilant Mexico supporters partied in the streets of the capital Sunday after their team's shock 1-0 victory over World Cup holders Germany -- singing, dancing, blaring car horns and cheering El Tri.
Fans crammed into the Zocalo, the city's main square, to celebrate.
"What happened today was an earthquake of joy for us -- just imagine, we beat the world champions!" said Laura Villegas, a 45-year-old merchant who downed her beer with tequila in one gulp.
"What happened hey, what happened hey, to the Germany that was going to beat us today?" the crowd chanted.
President Enrique Pena Nieto joined the party, saying on Twitter: "Confirmed: Mexico competes and wins against the best in the world, Congratulations to @miseleccionmx! Great match!" Victory rallies erupted in other major cities such as Guadalajara, Toluca, Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez.
Throughout the capital, the streets filled with exhilarated fans, on foot, bicycles, motorbikes or in cars. Some blasted their car stereos, while others shrieked in glee.
Amid the cacophonous bustle, a veteran violinist played the traditional tune "Cielito Lindo" -- roughly translated as "Lovely Sweet One." The victory was a heart-stopping one, but "a small goal is still a goal," said the musician, while fans left coins in his instrument case.
One female fan, a flag in her hand and the national colors painted on her cheeks, screamed: "We are an Aztec warrior force!" "Lozano for president, Lozano for president!" fans cheered -- not forgetting that the country will hold elections to choose a new leader on July 1.
Ana Maria Contreras, a primary school teacher, came with her children and even dogs decked out in El Tri's signature green jerseys to join the festivities.
"We have shown that we can compete with any power. And I hope that whoever wins as president also knows how to lead us to victory," she said.