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World Cup 2026

Fan loudly expresses unbridled enthusiasm for Mexico’s World Cup goal ... at Dodgers-A’s game

A Dodgers pitcher delivers a pitch in front of a blurred background of fans and an umpire
Pitcher Justin Wrobleski struck out 11 during the Dodgers’ 9-3 victory against the Athletics on Tuesday in Sacramento.
(Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)
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  • During the Dodgers-A’s game in Sacramento, a fan in a Mexico jersey erupted in a thunderous “GOOOAL!” behind home plate.
  • His outburst came after El Tri scored during a 2-0 World Cup knockout victory against Ecuador at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium, more than 2,000 miles away from Sutter Park Field.
  • On the field, Justin Wrobleski struck out 11 over seven innings in a 9-3 Dodgers win, giving the left-hander his 10th victory and manager Dave Roberts his 1,000th.

A fan sitting behind home plate at the Dodgers-Athletics game Tuesday night really had his head in the game — but not the game he was attending.

In fact, his mind was on a completely different sport, at least during one particular moment in the bottom of the third inning.

The Dodgers were up 5-1 with one out as left-hander Justin Wrobleski was set to throw a 2-and-2 pitch to Athletics center fielder Henry Bolte. Without warning, a distinct and very loud sound started booming through Sutter Health Park.

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Dave Roberts gets his 1,000th victory as manager as Dodgers defeat the Athletics in Sacramento, 9-3.

“GOAL! GOOAL! GOOOAL! GOOOOAL! GOOOOOOOOOAL!”

The delighted screams were coming from a man wearing a Mexico soccer jersey in the first row. Apparently El Tri had just scored during its eventual 2-0 victory over Ecuador in a World Cup knockout game that was happening at the same time in Mexico City at Azteca Stadium.

Mexico had not won in a World Cup knockout round since 1986, a fact that perhaps contributed to the fan’s over-the-top reaction to one of the goals. He stood up from his premium seat at the baseball stadium, held his fists above his head, leaned back and vocalized his approval of what had occurred at a completely different sporting event more than 2,000 miles away.

Seriously, the dude’s shrieks could be heard echoing in the A’s dugout on the NBC Sports California broadcast of the game. The fans around him appeared to be largely unfazed, with some seeming to share in the man’s enthusiasm (although slightly less energetic).

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Mexico City is celebrating again after the Mexican national team defeated Ecuador 2-0 Tuesday night, its fourth straight World Cup shutout win.

The pitcher and batter didn’t acknowledge the outburst, although Wrobleski’s pitch ended up in the dirt for a full count. The Dodgers starter recovered well, striking out Bolte with a 96-mph fastball on the next pitch to end the inning.

Wrobleski had a career-high 11 strikeouts in seven innings as the Dodgers cruised to a 9-3 victory. It was the 10th win of the season for Wrobleski and 1,000th in the career of manager Dave Roberts.

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