Mexico Fans Pour Into LA Streets To Celebrate World Cup Win
EAST LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – Several streets were shut down and extra law enforcement were deployed across Los Angeles as hundreds of fans poured into the streets to celebrate Mexico's 2-1 victory over South Korea Saturday in the World Cup, nearly on the verge of assuring itself a spot in the round of 16.
Several portions of Whittier Boulevard in East Los Angeles were closed throughout the morning, and extra patrol vehicles were out in force to monitor crowds.
When police in Huntington Park shut down Pacific Boulevard in anticipation of the celebrations, fans moved one block over. CBS2 captured video as crowds shut down the intersection of Rita and Saturn avenues while a car did donuts. Rocks and eggs were thrown at patrol cars. One man was arrested on several charges.
Priya Shah was watching it all unfold, and she told CBS2 News it might be a bit of overkill, since it is only Mexico's second game.
"When they win the World Cup, maybe, yeah, that would be totally OK, but not right now," said Shah. "It was way too out of hand."
Dozens of people also hit the streets of Pacoima, celebrating at the intersection of Van Nuys and Laurel Canyon boulevards.
A watch commander at the sheriff's East L.A. station confirmed that extra units were deployed, but refused to go into further detail. There were no reported injuries.
All this comes after the mayhem that broke out following Mexico's 1-0 victory over Germany last Sunday afternoon. Spontaneous parties were reported in various parts of the Southland, including in Pacoima, where three people were arrested, and in Huntington Park, where one man was arrested.
Viewing parties for Saturday's game were held across the Southland, including in Long Beach, downtown Los Angeles, Koreatown and the former Olympic Auditorium.
Germany's last minute 2-1 win over Sweden means that Mexico will have to wait until the final day of group play to know if it will advance.
Mexico sits atop Group F with six points. Germany and Sweden are behind Mexico with three points each. Mexico needs just a tie in its final game to assure it advances to the round of 16. It plays Sweden Wednesday at 7 a.m. Pacific time.
Mexico has reached the knockout round each of the last six World Cups, then lost in the round of 16 each time. Mexico is 15th in the rankings compiled by FIFA, soccer's international governing body. South Korea was ranked 57th.
South Korea will conclude group play Wednesday with a game against Germany at 7 a.m. Pacific time.
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