In 1971, Mexico reached a world championship final with a women's team that filled the iconic Estadio Azteca, drawing an unprecedented crowd of 110,000. Despite this monumental achievement, FIFA did not acknowledge the tournament, which has resulted in a long history of neglect and erasure of women's contributions in football. The women faced significant challenges, including restrictions placed by FIFA, which banned them from playing in any stadiums controlled by the organization's federations.

Now, 55 years later, some of the pioneering players are gradually reclaiming their story, sharing their experiences of triumph and oppression in interviews with EFE. Elvira Aracén, the team’s goalkeeper at the time, recounts that they were world runners-up in a match that drew a crowd no men's final had ever achieved, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of their accomplishment amidst a backdrop of societal machismo that has long overshadowed women's sports.

The violence they faced was not only physical but also institutional, as the FIFA's actions severely limited their opportunities to build on the momentum created by the final. This narrative shines a light on the struggles for recognition and equality in sport, highlighting the need to address past injustices while celebrating the courage of these women who broke barriers in a male-dominated environment, laying the foundation for future generations in women’s football.