Published: June 13, 2026 at 3:27 pm
One of the most heartbreaking and tragic side stories connected to the history of the FIFA World Cup emerged in 2018 when the event was conducted in Russia. Gilberto Martinez, a well-established lawyer from Mexico, and his family consisting of his wife Veronica and two little children, Mia and Diego, were keen football fans.
Their national team, Mexico, was in Group F. It was a strong pool and had the World Champions Germany along with Sweden and South Korea. The Mexican team led by Andres Guardado, was confident of doing well. More than anything else, their huge fan base was going all out to support the team in the green shirts.
Among the army of fans was Gilberto Martinez and his family. They had made arrangements to go to Russia to watch the World Cup matches in 2018. Match tickets had been booked, flight tickets had been booked, hotel rooms had been booked, and everything was in place for them to travel to Russia to watch their team Mexico in action.
Tragedy struck the family after a vacation
But that was when tragedy struck the family. Veronica and the children, who had gone to the USA to visit Veronica’s sister, were killed in a horrific car crash on the return journey. Suddenly Gilberto, who was looking forward to an enjoyable trip to Russia with his family, was left all alone in the world. His wife and two children were gone in a matter of minutes.
He went into severe depression. His father tried to get him out of it but in vain. Gilberto would not even read newspapers or watch his favorite football teams in action. But his doctor-counsellor finally persuaded him to go to Russia and watch the matches. When Gilberto eventually decided to go, it was because he felt that his wife Veronica and his two children Mia and Diego would be there in spirit with him.
Hung their tickets on his own neck and visited the venues
So, Gilberto hung their entry tickets with their photos around his own neck and went around the venues where Mexico was playing the matches. Soon he was noticed by everyone because multiple entry tickets were hanging on his chest. The media got hold of his moving background story and published it widely.
One of the persons who read the reports and was very moved by the tragic story was Mexico’s well-known goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. The famous goalkeeper decided that he must do something for this loyal fan from Mexico who had come to Russia despite losing his wife and children.
“Today an Angel will make me fly,” wrote Ochoa
That very day, Mexico was scheduled to play against mighty world champion Germany in Group F. Before the match Ochoa posted on social media: “Today an Angel will make me fly.”
Guillermo Ochoa time and again flew magically from one side to another to stop the German thunderbolts
The match turned out to be a nail-biting thriller. Prior to this battle, Mexico and Germany had played against each other 11 times and every time Germany had won. But in 2018, Mexico was determined to change the script. However, a confident Germany went into the attack right away. Timo Werner signalled Germany’s intentions right away when he fired a shot across the face of Mexico’s goal during the first few minutes of the match.
Mexico took the lead and then defended strongly
But in the 35th minute, Mexico’s Javier Hernandez dribbled past German defender Mats Hummels and passed to Hirving Lozano. The Mexican striker then crashed the ball into the net giving the towering German goalie Manuel Neuer no chance. The goal gave Mexico a 1-0 lead and the Mexican fans went into raptures.
Thereafter Germany had the majority of possession in the second half and pressed hard for the equalizer but the Mexican defenders stood like a rock to successfully defend the slender lead. Germany’s Toni Kroos struck a fine free-kick that was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Ochoa.
True to his words, Ochoa flew across the goal several times
The match saw the maximum number of shots in that edition of the World Cup. Germany enjoyed the lion’s share of the possession (67 percent). It had 9 shots on target. But in the goal, Ochoa was unbeatable. Time and again he flew magically from one side to another to stop the German thunderbolts.
Goal scorer Lozano and goalkeeper Ochoa were hailed as national heroes after Mexico’s wonderful victory. In the midst of all the celebrations, Ochoa told everyone around him: “This was for little Diego and his mother and sister.”
He also hunted out Martinez and hugged him.
Your family inspired me, said Ochoa
“Today your family inspired me,” Ochoa told Martinez. “We won because of them.” To top it all, it also happened to be Father’s Day.
For a few moments, Martinez forgot his grief and truly believed that his family had played a role in Mexico’s great victory.
Such incidents illustrate that life is very uncertain. In the midst of joys, sorrow may be lurking around the corner. We have to enjoy and cherish each moment and there are few better ways to relish life than through sports.
