Croatia 1-3 Mexico: Man United striker Javier Hernandez on target as Miguel Herrera's side book last 16 showdown with Holland
And so the improbable journey continues. Mexico needed favours to reach the World Cup finals, now they are looking increasingly like a team nobody will want to play.
Had it not been for a late goal scored by the United States against Panama last October, Mexico would have missed out but they have taken full advantage of that good fortune and sailed into the knockout stages last night with an exhilarating 3-1 win over 10-man Croatia.
Setting the tone was Rafael Marquez, Mexico’s most decorated footballer, who scored a captain’s goal midway through the second half of a tense encounter to tee up a last-16 clash with Holland. Andres Guardado settled matters shortly after with a fine finish after a rapid counter-attack against a Croatia side who lost their discipline when Ante Rebic was sent-off for a late challenge.
VIDEO Scroll down for Watch out De Gea? Chicharito takes gloves for Mexico training
Up for it: Mexico's Rafael Marquez , second right, scores the first goal against Croatia
High jump: Marquez leaps into the air as he celebrates his opening goal with team-mate Javier Hernandez
HEADER HERE
CROATIA (4-4-2): Pletikosa 7; Vrsaljko 5.5 (Kovacic 58, 6), Lovren 6.5, Corluka 7.5, Pranjic 6.5 (Jelavic 74, 6); Srna 5, Rakitic 6, Modric 6.5, Perisic 6; Mandzukic 6, Olic 6 (Rebic 69, 6).
Booked: Rakitic.
Sent off: Rebic.
MEXICO (4-4-2): Ochoa 7; Rodriguez 7, Marquez 8, Herrera 7, Layun 7; Dos Santos 5.5 (Hernandez 62min, 6), Moreno 6, Guardado 6.5 (Fabian 84), Peralta 6 (Pena 79); Aguilar 6, Vazquez 6.
Booked: Marquez, Vazquez.
Man of the match: Rafael Marquez.
Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan) 6.
Attendance: 41,212.
Given what was at stake and the small margins separating these nations in Group A, the contest was spiky and feisty almost from the first whistle, with players from both sides testing the patience of referee Ravshan Irmatov.
Cynical fouls prevented the game from developing a rhythm and Croatia’s problems were exacerbated by the system Mexico played, with their three central defenders — marshalled supremely by the veteran Rafael Marquez — not allowing Croatia’s forwards to flourish.
Luka Modric was also nullified, meaning Ivica Olic and Mario Mandzukic barely got a sight of Guillermo Ochoa’s goal. More worrying for Croatia, the longer the half went on, the more Mexico clambered on top and they came closest to breaking the deadlock through Hector Herrera.
Herrera deserved a goal. When the ball dropped to him 25 yards out, he only had one thought on his mind and he caught his shot flush, sending a left-foot drive fizzing past Croatia keeper Stipe Pletikosa. Much to Herrera’s frustration, though, his effort cannoned off the crossbar.
Roared on by a partisan crowd in Recife, Mexico started to ask more and more questions of Croatia and their finish to the first period was strong but they were unable to find a way past Pletikosa, who stood firm when Miguel Layun had a chance in the 41st minute.
Delight: Mexico's Rafael Marquez celebrates scoring his side's first goal
Flashpoint: Referee Ravshan Irmatov separates Mexico's Andres Guardado (right) and Croatia's Darijo Srna
Jose Juan Vazquez of Mexico and Ivan Rakitic of Croatia compete for the ball
WORLD CUP GOALS BY CLUB
Bayern 9
Man United 8
Barcelona 7
Real Madrid 4
Pachuca 3
Liverpool 3
Marseille 3
PSV 3
Wolfsburg 3
A similar pattern ensued after the restart. Modric, belatedly, started to have an influence and forced a corner with one jinking run and shot but still Mexico would not be moved, as Marquez — a Champions League winner in his prime with Barcelona — would not let their defence lose focus.
That was crucial as in the last 25 minutes, they ran riot. Marquez set them on the way with a header to break Croatia’s spirit, Guardado secured the victory with a thumping finish shortly after and then substitute Javier Hernandez raised hopes of actually winning Group A with another header.
Fernandinho’s goal for Brazil in Brasilia, coupled with a consolation strike from Ivan Perisic, ended that prospect but it is clear Mexico have the potential to make the most of this unexpected opportunity.
Poacher: Mexico's Javier Hernandez heads home his side's third goal, making sure of their progress
Jumping for joy: Herrera celebrates with Paul Aguilar after Hernandez scored the third goal for Mexico
Joy: Herrera celebrates after Andres Guardado scored Mexico's side's second goal
Consolation: Croatia's Ivan Perisic fires home late on, the first goal conceded by Mexico in group stage
Comments
Post a Comment