Shirt Stories: Chicharito and the penalty that enraged a nation

The birth of "¡No era penal!"

After 88 minutes, Javier Hernández was on the verge of helping Mexico make history. The 2014 FIFA World Cup had already produced its fair share of drama, but few could have predicted the cruel twist that awaited El Tri in Fortaleza.

Standing between Mexico and a first tournament quarter-final since 1986 was a Louis van Gaal Netherlands team in fine form. They had dismantled reigning champions Spain 5-1 in the opening game of the tournament, and topped their group with three wins out of three. On paper, Mexico were up against it.

Yet for most of the game, they were the better side, outworking the Dutch all over the park. Javier Hernández was leading the charge in the famous green Mexico shirt when the game turned on its head...

This Javier Hernández Mexico shirt was displayed as part of The MWS Legend Collection NYC exhibition, a celebration of football history told through some of the game's most iconic shirts and unforgettable moments.

Known around the world as Chicharito, the then-Manchester United striker had built a career on intelligent movement, relentless energy and an uncanny knack for finding the back of the net.

He wasn't the biggest striker, nor the quickest, but few forwards worked harder for their team. And against the Netherlands, that work ethic was on full display in the crucial final moments.

Played in stifling humidity at Fortaleza's Arena Castelão, with mandatory cooling breaks introduced in each half, the match was a battle of endurance from the get-go.

Mexico were content to surrender possession before springing forward on the counter, pressing tirelessly from the front to give the Dutch defence little time to settle on the ball.

It wasn't a performance packed with shots or headline moments, but it was exactly the sort of selfless display that endears Mexico to the fans back home in every tournament they play.

Early in the second half, the persistence paid off.

Giovani dos Santos collected the ball 25 yards from goal, shifted onto his left foot and rifled a low, half-volleyed strike beyond Jasper Cillessen and into the bottom corner.

It was an audacious yet perfectly hit shot, the type that knockout matches tend to produce, and suddenly Mexico could dare to dream.

The Moment – Heartbreak in Fortaleza

As the minutes ticked away, the Netherlands grew increasingly desperate.

Chicharito joined the action with 15 minutes of normal time remaining, replacing Oribe Peralta with Mexico just moments from the biggest World Cup victory in a generation.

And then, through no fault of his own, everything fell apart.

Hernández's work rate and pressure helped keep the Oranje at bay for another 13 minutes, until Wesley Sneijder crashed home the equaliser after Mexico failed to clear a corner with just two minutes of normal time remaining. Extra time beckoned... but the drama wasn't finished yet.

Deep into stoppage time, Arjen Robben jinked his way into the penalty area and went to ground under a challenge from veteran defender Rafael Márquez.

The penalty decision remains one of the most controversial decisions in World Cup history.

Dive or foul? Whichever side you come down on in the never-ending debate, Portuguese referee Pedro Proença pointed straight to the spot.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar kept his nerve from 12 yards, sending Guillermo Ochoa the wrong way to complete an astonishing Dutch comeback. Mexico's players collapsed to the turf in disbelief. Across the country, one phrase echoed louder than any other: ¡No era penal! (It wasn't a penalty.)

The Netherlands would go on to reach the semi-finals before claiming third place with victory over hosts Brazil. Mexico, meanwhile, were left to reflect on yet another Round of 16 exit, their sixth in succession.

For Chicharito, it remains one of the cruellest afternoons in an outstanding international career. Yet, it wouldn’t be his last time in a Mexico shirt - he pulled it on once again in the 2018 World Cup.

He finished his career as Mexico’s all-time top scorer, a record he holds to this day.