France v. Mexico 0-2 17/Jun/10

Second Round, Fourth Game, Group A, Day 7. (20 of 64)


Hernández edges past Lloris, in clear offside.
[Photo: Reuters via Daily Mail]


In Peter Mokaba, and with a hungry nation back at home, the Mexican side comprehensively edged a torn, battered and childish French team. Even when the display of Chicharito is being hailed here in Mexico as the uttermost football value of the recent years, the truth is that Aguirre's team beat a side that is in complete chaos, to say the least. The frenzy media has taken their time to cover up the French deception with lauds of glory as if we have already achieved something extra special in the history of the World Cup.

Hernández goal had a little history about it but all in all, it was in offside (of course that any French who complains would be taken in short time to Henry's antics). Despite the different reactions from the media here in my country, the Mexican team has a fairly good advantage in reaching the following stage. Obviously that still has to be decided when the tied-in-points countries face each other at Rustenburg on the 22nd. Zonal Marking's piece is remarkable, especially with the Mexican analysis.



Gourcuff and Gignac gutted.
[Photo: AFP via Telegraph]


Despite the hectic start by the Mexican forward all chances went out wide, beginning with Vela's in the 8th minute. Franco made a couple of dribbles and found himself in shooting position against Lloris -the ball went wide off the mark. Mexico's superiority was proved by Salcido, whose shot warned Lloris again. It seemed a delightful start, such as the one in Soccer City some days ago but the problem remained in putting the bloody ball in the back of the net.

Salcido's incursions were the most dangerous approach the team could offer in the first half but as if this was another Arsenal match, the impatient Mexican supporters back at home requested a lead before the break. Also, as if it were another Arsenal match, Carlos Vela went out injured; he was substituted by Pablo Barrera in the 31st. The very last minutes of the first part saw a particularly offensive French team -Ribery led the attack but time was up.



Blanco scores the second from the spot.
[Photo: Reuters via Daily Mail]


As Gignac entered replacing Anelka, the Mexicans continued their pursuit just to encounter a revamped French squad. Malouda's shot was palmed by Pérez in the 56th. The time for another Mexican substitution arrived when Hernández came in for the booked Juárez. The problem began when the French attacks were more constant and deadlier. As the match wore and Blanco came in, in the 62nd, the cameo of Johannesburg was looming in the air.

Fortunately for the "visitors" Hernández pushed the defence and got himself in a pretty decent position to score -offside- and went past Lloris to slot it. One-nil and everybody was predicting Mexico as the newest football super power. The French team pressed with the little morale they already had; their desperate attacks left huge gaps in the defence and in one of those occasions Barrera edged two defenders and went down, although with some contact, with a weak challenge by Abidal. With ten minutes to end, the penalty kick was converted by Blanco and the match was pretty much over.