Elated Mexicans celebrate football win over Brazil

Jubilant Mexicans are celebrating their 2-1 Olympic gold medal soccer win over Brazil Saturday, waving flags and chanting in plazas and streets across the country.

Crowds began gathering not long after the Mexican team scored its first goal in the first minute of play.

A supporter celebrates the second goal of Mexico as they face Brazil during their men's soccer final gold medal match during the London 2012 Olympic Games at Revolucion monument, in Mexico City. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido

Fans in Mexico City, Guadalajara and other cities exploded in celebration as soon as the game ended, marking Mexico's first ever Olympic soccer gold medal. Some fans waving the country's red, white and green flag even took a victory lap around the capital's landmark Angel of Independence statue. Crowds are continuing to gather at the statue to celebrate.

Mexicans watch on a screen set up on a street at Revolucion monument in Mexico City. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido

Law student Arturo Castellanos watched the game from Mexico City's chic Condesa neighborhood, where he noted Mexico had marked another key win against Brazil in recent months.

It was the team's first Olympic final in men's football since the 1988 Seoul Games, when youngsters Romario and Bebeto ended with the silver. Brazil also lost the final four years earlier at the Los Angeles Games.

Mexicans celebrate the victory of Mexico at Revolucion monument, in Mexico City. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido

Meanwhile Brazil fans watched in anguish as their team lost to the Mexicans. Brazil knew that anything but the gold was going to be considered a huge failure. The expectations back home were high and the Olympics were seen as an important test because the majority of the players in London will also likely be in the team trying to lead Brazil to the 2014 World Cup title at home.

Brazilian football fans react as they watch on TV the London 2012 Olympic Games men's football final match between Brazil and Mexico in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Yasuyoshi CHIBAYASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/GettyImages