Mexico's dreams of repeating as gold medalists in the men's soccer tournament at the Olympics are over.
El Tri lost 1-0 to South Korea in the teams' final Group C match at the 2016 Rio Olympics on Wednesday, meaning Mexico finished the group stage in third place and were eliminated from the tournament.
That also means Mexico, who won their first goal medal in men's soccer in the 2012 London Olympics, will not be defending their title.
Mexico's Olympic team had MLS representation, as Houston Dynamo forward Erick "Cubo" Torres featured, as well as former Real Salt Lake defender Carlos Salcedo. But the collective could not replicate the story of 2012, which was widely celebrated in Mexico.
While Mexico's showing at the Olympics this year is a disappointment, consider two factors. First, while they had every chance to advance from group play, their group featured both South Korea and Germany in addition to lightly-regarded Fiji, meaning there was effectively a three-team battle for two knockout-stage slots. In the end, Mexico lost out.
In addition, the men's soccer tournament at the Olympics -- an Under-23 tournament that allows for three overage players per team -- is famous for unexpected results. Former gold medalists Argentina have also been knocked out in the group stage this year, with other upsets possible pending the outcome of the rest of Wednesday's group-stage action.
Regardless, that will be small consolation for El Tri, who have to wait at least four more years before they aim for another Olympic medal in men's soccer.
