World Cup Soccer 2010: France facing early exit after Mexico drubbing
For the second time in the last three editions, team France is all set to bow out of the FIFA World Cup from the group stages of the tournament. It’s a shame when you look at the side that Raymond Domenech brought to South African safari. There were reports of rifts between the players and the manager, much earlier than the world cup but their well documented differences are now affecting the Les Blues performance on the pitch. Coach Domenech put out a defensive outfit for their first group game against Uruguay and came out with a tepid draw and it was always going to be an uphill task from there.
Putting two defensive midfielders in front t of their back four was in no way a statement of intent from the three-time world champions and it let them down miserably. Thierry Henry has not even played a minute in this world cup and his side are now on the brink of elimination. What’s worse is that they don’t even control their destiny, a draw between Uruguay and Mexico in the last group game would send the Les Blues out of the competition irrespective of what they achieve in their last game against the hosts.
Last night, Demenech decided to start with Florent Malouda in place Gourcuff who was the star performer form the previous game. The French coach went out with a 4-2-3-1 formation that still had Anelka leading their attack. The Chelsea front man has not scored for over 8 months and after a disappointing first game and with Henry and Gignac in the side, he should have never started this game.
Yet Raymond opted for Anelka and the striker failed for his country once again. Two second half goals from Mexico left El Tri on the brink of qualification into the next round while all but guaranteeing a humiliating exit for the 2006 World Cup runners up.
Mexico were by far the brighter of the two sides but failed to reflect that on the score sheet until just after the hour mark when Manchester United’s new signing Javier Hernandez beat the offside trap expertly and rounded Hugo Lloris before slotting in an open goal.
Another player from the bench made the result safe on the night from the penalty spot when 37-year-old Blanco coolly slotted home after Berrera was fouled in the box.
France and Uruguay were the sides that met in the first ever World cup match in 1930 in Uruguay where Les Blues walked away with a convincing 4-1 score line but such a keenly contested encounter in Peter Mokaba Stadium was never likely to produce such a score line.
Both teams showed great endeavour in their first group game against France who looked livelier with an embarrassment of riches in their attack and were widely tipped to see off the Mexicans on the night. However, none of the teams possessed the cutting edge last night to truly punish their opponents.
Mexico possesses an exciting attack but it is often lightweight when comes across quality defender. Giovanni Dos Santos, Carlos Vela and Javier Hernandez all wasted precious opportunities earlier in the game. However, Vela was forced to retire with an injury just after the half hour mark.
In the 64th minute, Marquez lobbed a beautiful chipped ball forward from a midfield position and Eric Abidal played Hernandez on side. All the other defenders stood static and begged for an offside which was never to be and the Manchester-bound-striker beautifully rounded Lloris to slot home.
France’s response was meek at best while the Mexicans continued to press and were rewarded for their attacking endeavours when Berrer was tripped in the box and Blanco made no mistake from the spot. The chances for the Les Blues went out of the window and a majority of their fans will be re-checking their flight schedules for early home coming.
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