Fans were initially jubilant when Mexico took the lead early in the second half, but when Germany equalised and then went on to beat Mexico 2-1 with a goal four minutes before the end of the game, the mood turned ugly.

Fans were jubilant when Mexico took the lead

Newsstands and soft drink vendors were reportedly looted before hundreds of riot police surrounding the city's main plaza, the Zocalo, moved in.

Many rioters were injured in clashes with police, scores of rioters were arrested, and one man died, thought to have been hit in the head by a firecracker.

Mexican television reported that a youth depressed at the the national teams's defeat tried to hang himself in the northern city of Monterrey, but rescue workers arrived in time to save his life.

There was also rioting in Huntington Park, an American city south-east of Los Angeles which is 97% Hispanic.

Windows were smashed and 40 people were reportedly arrested.