How Mexico's World Cup run brought joy after a year of fear

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: How Mexico's World Cup run brought joy after a year of fearImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Mexico's World Cup ended in the last 16 with a 3-2 defeat by EnglandByShaimaa KhalilNorth America Correspondent, Santa Ana, Orange CountyPublished3 hours agoThe crowd in this packed local Santa Ana Bistro is on its feet. Some wave Mexican flags. Others sing through the disappointment.

Soon the room breaks into Cielito Lindo - Canta y no llores... "This is sad," Louie Leyla tells me. The Mexican-American has lived in California since 1990.

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"But we're going to keep rooting for our people, no matter what. "England may have ended Mexico's World Cup, beating them 3-2 in the Azteca Stadium. But here, it does not feel like the end of the story.

For this football-loving community on the west coast of the United States, the tournament has been a triumph. Mexico exceeded expectations, united supporters across Southern California and, for weeks, gave fans something to celebrate. "It's a loss," Alicia Rojas tells me.

"But it's a win for our community in Santa Ana. "Nearby, Cynthia Rebolledo points to her young son, dressed head-to-toe in Mexico colours. "He keeps asking if we're still going to the parade," she says with a smile.

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He's been rooting for Mexico - and for his community. "This World Cup became about far more than football for this group of fans. As music blares and fans dance with Mexican flags, Leigh Slater smiles.

"Football is like life. But what we've seen throughout this World Cup is the unbreakable spirit of immigrants in this country. "'This is catharsis'Image caption, Mexico had gone 15 consecutive first halves of World Cup football without conceding a goal before playing England - who scored twice before the intervalFor weeks, Mexican supporters have been among the tournament's most visible fans, filling stadiums across the United States - as well as their homeland - with bright green shirts, flags and chants.

Nowhere has that been more apparent than Southern California, home to one of the largest Mexican communities outside Mexico itself. This scene of joy is a far cry from what this area has lived through recently. Just a year ago, many Latino neighbourhoods were living through the height of ICE immigration raids.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.