Fans revel in Mexico-Colombia soccer friendly at M&T Bank Stadium

A night that offered Mexican soccer fans in the U.S. a chance for unity also delivered something almost as meaningful: hope for a bright new era.

More than 67,000 fans filled M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday night, most of them clad in the colors of El Tri, as the Mexican national team welcomed a new manager in its first friendly since the World Cup — a 1-1 tie with Colombia.

Rafael Márquez, a defender who played in five World Cups for Mexico and became a star at FC Barcelona, ascended to manager after serving as an assistant on the team that lost to England 3-2 in the Round of 16 in one of the World Cup’s most thrilling contests over the summer.

Though his team fell behind early Saturday, it equalized thanks to a sublime individual effort from a burgeoning star: Gilberto Mora became the youngest goal scorer in Mexican national team history by chasing down a long pass into the box, cutting inside and striking a low shot into the net in the 62nd minute.

The match teemed with intensity. Players were separated after a brief bout of shoving during stoppage time.

The Banner was there and captured scenes from a night that Mexican fans hope was the start of something special.