Two second-half goals gave Mexico their first ever victory over France to leave El Tri well-placed to make the last 16 and the 2006 runners-up on the verge of elimination.
Mexico were the brighter of the two throughout but were unable to take any of their chances until just after the hour, when substitute Javier Hernandez broke the offside trap and rounded keeper Hugo Lloris before slotting home.
Another Mexican substitute, the 37-year-old Cuauhtemoc Blanco, sealed the victory from the penalty spot after a third replacement, Pablo Barrera, had been felled in the box.
Being somewhat under the weather today, I had the opportunity to watch this game, indulge my anti-French animus, and root for Mexico. Needless to say, the outcome was agreeable. But as an American who only watches soccer during the World Cup, I must say that I find the off-side rule to be the most frustrating rule in the game. It seems every time an exciting play develops, the play is called off-side. In fact, the announcers were saying that the first Mexican goal should have been disallowed for an off-side penalty. Surely this rule could be modified to open up the game a little. Otherwise, we have what most Americans see as the essence of soccer: a mass of defenders forming an impenetrable wall, resulting in either a change of possession, or a missed shot, or the ball being cleared down the field. Yet one more insurmountable 1-0 lead. Or worse, a 0-0 draw.
Yes, I know. This is heresy to true soccer fans. And frankly I am a hypocrite seeing as I hate the designated hitter rule. Just saying.
carl
who still wants the Dodgers to go back to Brooklyn.
The French just gave up. How very untypical.
BTW fantastic, fantastic day of World Cup footie. France soundly beaten, Argentina play the beautiful game and Greece win their first ever game in the World Cup. We really, really need to get this ball looked at…