Mexico's gold-medal performance in men's soccer -- its first gold medal in soccer -- was greeted with wild celebrations back home and chants of "Viva Mexico!" and "Campeones! Campeones!"

Thousands of Mexicans rushed city squares across the country in celebration after the final whistle. It was their country's first gold medal at the London Olympics -- and it was most unexpected, against heavily favored Brazil.

"Mexico needs heroes," Leonardo Rodriguez, who has a construction company, said after watching the game at a restaurant in Mexico City with fellow customers, valet parkers and waiters. "This team, this is it."

Mexico has struggled with a deadly drug war and economic problems and something of an inferiority complex with Brazil, so the win was especially sweet.

"Viva Mexico," Mexico star Javier Hernandez, who plays for Manchester United and was not relased for Olympic play, said via Twitter. "Thank you thank you thank you. Proudly Mexican, for good and for bad."