A brilliant, viral tribute to Erling Haaland stole the show after Mexico beat Ecuador 2-0 to clinch a spot in the World Cup Round of 16.
Following the group stage victory that secured their place in the knockout rounds, El Tri turned their dressing room into a celebration that quickly went viral.
In videos seen by TNX Africa, several Mexican players wore realistic masks of the Manchester City striker.
To complete the prank, the entire squad sat in a line on the floor and performed Norway's famous "Viking Row" celebration, a team dance typically associated with Scandinavian victories.
The lighthearted stunt quickly became one of the tournament's most talked about moments, attracting millions of views across TikTok, X and Instagram within hours.
Fans praised the team's sense of humour and togetherness after the crucial win.
The joke also caught Haaland's attention. The prolific striker shared the team's photo on his Instagram Stories and Snapchat with the caption: "Hola que tal @miseleccionmx", which translates to "Hello, how are you?" or "What's up?"
Meanwhile, Norway also progressed to the Round of 16 after defeating Ivory Coast 2-1.
While the celebrations were playful, Mexico's achievement on the pitch is significant. Progressing to the knockout stage on home soil has sparked fresh optimism across the country.
Mexico is also making history as the first nation to host the FIFA World Cup three times, co-hosting the 2026 tournament with the United States and Canada. This marks the country's 18th World Cup appearance.
Under coach Javier Aguirre, the squad blends experience with youth, including veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who is appearing at his sixth World Cup, and 17-year-old Gilberto Mora, the youngest player ever selected for Mexico.
Mexico's ambition is to surpass its previous best World Cup finish by reaching beyond the quarter-finals. Their deepest runs came when they hosted the tournament in 1970 and 1986. After an early exit at the 2022 World Cup, the team is hoping to capitalise on home support to make history.
Mexico will face England in the Round of 16 on Monday, July 6, at Mexico City Stadium.