2010 World Cup: France v Mexico full time report
France 0 Mexico 2
France’s destiny is no longer in their hands in regards to qualification to the second round of the World Cup, as a classy Mexico side tore the 1998 World Champions to pieces to more a less assure their qualification to the last 16.
Goals from Manchester United’s new signing Javier Hernandez and a penalty from veteran Cuauhtemoc Blanco were enough for the impressive Mexicans, whilst France could only muster one shot on target throughout the 90 minutes.
Mexico’s pace caused early problems for the French centre-backs, Carlos Vela had the pick of the chances when he volleyed over from a Rafeal Marquez though ball.
The North Americans continued to press on, with Carlos Salcido, the marauding left back, firing wide from a tight angle with 18 minutes gone.
Salcido was really enjoying himself down the left flank and once again got in behind Bacary Sagna, and profited from some awful defending by William Gallas to fire a shot straight at Hugo Lloris.
France finally created their first chance of the World Cup in the 53rd minute, half time substitute Andre-Pierre Gignac, who replaced Nicholas Anelka at half time, linked well with Florent Malouda who forced a good save from Oscar Perez. With Gignac’s introduction France threatened to burst into life after the break, but their early pressure fizzled out and the game continued in the same vein as the first half, with Mexico in the ascendancy.
France’s negativity was finally punished by the lively Mexicans in the 62nd minute. Not for the first time the French failed to deal with a ball over the top and Hernandez beat the French offside trap, smoothly rounded Lloris before stroking the ball into the empty net.
Mexico’s second goal inevitably came with France getting worse as the match wore on. Pablo Barrera was the catalyst for the goal, his mazy run bamboozled Patrice Evra before Gallas came flying in with a lazy looking tackle inside the area. A penalty was given and experienced head Blanco stepped up, and with longest penalty run up in World Cup history, blasted the ball into the bottom corner.
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