Mexico has been here before. At the World Cup, trying to find its way. Desperately needing to lean on goalkeeper Memo Ochoa to keep its hopes alive. And like before, Ochoa delivered, this time blocking a penalty kick from arguably one of the best strikers in the game, Polish and Barcelona superstar Robert Lewandowski. The stop came during the Mexico — Poland group game, and ensured Mexico would walk away from the game with a tie, which means one point each.
Ochoa is playing in his fifth World Cup, joining teammate Andrés Guardado, as well as Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. But unlike the last two, he has never known great European club success, instead finding success as a staple of Mexican club América, as well as the Mexican national team.
But Mexican fans, who’d already seen Ochoa step up with crucial performances in both the 2014 and 2018 World Cups — including several crucial stops against Neymar when Mexico faced Brazil — came into this tournament expecting great things from the team and its goalkeeper. And with a wounded Argentina looming for a November 26th game that might decide who advances to the next round, there’s never been a better moment for Memo Ochoa to be …well, Memo Ochoa.
The internet is certainly behind Ochoa.
Mexico didn’t get the win in their inaugural game in the 2022 World Cup, and a draw doesn’t guarantee the team will make it to the next round, but for now, there’s optimism around the Mexican national team. And why shouldn’t there be? It’s World Cup time, which means it’s Memo Ochoa time once again.
Relive the moment between Mexico and Poland below!