Three days before Mexico kicked off their 2014 World Cup participation against Cameroon, no one knew who the starting goalkeeper would be for 'El Tri'. Jesus Corona and Guillermo Ochoa had an intense battle going on for the starting spot. Many considered Corona to have the edge because other managers had preferred him, because he was the one that lead Mexico to the Olympic Gold Medal.

But it was the charismatic Guillermo Ochoa who finally got the nod. This, his third World Cup would finally be the moment that Ochoa had been waiting for. His amazing skill in goal got him on the 2006 World Cup roster at the young age of 19. In 2010 it was suppose to be his moment to shine, but then national team manager, Javier Aguirre, did not have the confidence in the youngster (he was only 23 years old) and went with veteran keeper Oscar Perez.

Since that 2010 World Cup Ochoa has been trying to establish himself as Mexico's number one, but thanks to media and fan pressure who did/do not fully understand his move from Club America to a small club like Ajaccio in France's Ligue 1, Ochoa could not get a hold on that starting spot.

But 2014 was finally his time, he was the starting goalkeeper against Cameroon. He made his World Cup debut on the third try and did so with a clean-sheet win by 1-0 over Cameroon. The first time Mexico defeats an African nation in the World Cup.

"I still can't believe what happened."

Said Memo Ochoa in a TV interview with Mexican television TV Azteca following the game. "I even can't believe when they told me I was going to play [the World Cup]"

Ochoa now followed up his World Cup debut with an amazing performance against host nation and powerhouse Brazil. The entire world will now be speaking of the match in which a Mexican goalkeeper by the name of Francisco Guillermo Ochoa held Brazil to earn his team a valuable point.

"It's special being the man of the match." Said Ochoa to the television station.

"This is for my family. They are the ones that are behind me in good times and in bad. They suffer more than me [during games] and this is for them."

The outstanding goalkeeper also described the best save of the night.

"The Neymar save was the best, the header. I think that was the hardest because at first I didn't think he would be able to reach it because of his height but he jumped really well and connected the ball." Ochoa commented.

"Those are the moments where you don't think, you just react. It's something you achieve through training and hard work. Fortunately I got my hand on it."

And this is not the first time Ochoa has a performance like this. For his club Ajaccio he on multiple occasions held powerful side PSG which included the superstars Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edison Cavani to 0-0 draws to earn his club a point.

Life has finally come full circle and rewarding the Mexican goalkeeper his rightful place at the Mexican throne. And the future only looks bright for him. The 28 year old is officially a free agent now and he can sign with whatever club he wishes. All of the big teams in Europe will be interested in a free signing of a goalkeeper who just made history for his national team.

For now, the shot-stopper will continue to work hard and re-pay the confidence that Miguel Herrera has given him to be the man in goal.

Spurce: Soccerly.com

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jonny.rico@sandiegored.com (Follow Jonny Rico on Facebook and Twitter)