I really wanted Mexico to do well at this World Cup.
Other than Brazil, England and Germany, they are the only team to make it out of the group stage at each of the last four World Cups. When you consider that Holland, France (twice), Italy and Spain are absent from the group and that Mexico's players mostly play outside Europe, it's a very impressive statistic.
However, they got sucker punched by Argentina.
After roaring out of the gates, with Carlos Salcido rattling the crossbar early from long distance, they conceded a clearly offside goal. Then, Ricardo Osorio had a brain freeze and gave the ball away and Mexico were two goals down. Game pretty much over.
To their credit though Mexico kept fighting. Argentina scored a proper goal eventually with Carlos Tevez rifling in a majestic shot form outside the box. Still Mexico kept at it and eventually scored a great consolation through Javi Hernandez.
The offside goal was yet another dark spot on officiating at the World Cup, but in order to not sound like a stuck record, I'll just move on. FIFA is stupid. Deal with it.
To me, this was one of the best games so far. Both teams kept going at it till the end, although Argentina took their foot off the gas a bit towards the end. Relentless, irrepressive attack.
I thought Argentina looked good going forward but a bit dodgy in midfield. Their destroyers had an off night but with Nicolas Otamendi impersonating a wall behind them, barely anything sneaked through.
Argentina's attack is firing on all six cylinders with Lionel Messi still to come to the party. He did everything BUT score. He should eventually pick it up against the bigger teams. Tevez and Otamendi are their star performers though, consistent, spinal and completely composed.
I cannot wait to see Germany take Argentina on.
Argentina 3 - 1 Mexico
Argentina 3 - 1 Mexico
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