Mexico have landed a deserved 2-0 victory over a beleaguered France outfit in Polokwane on Thursday evening.
Mexico have landed a deserved 2-0 victory over a beleaguered France outfit in Polokwane on Thursday evening.
Second half goals from substitutes Javier Hernandez and veteran Cuauhtemoc Blanco plunged the dagger into France's World Cup Group A adventure.
They now have to defeat South Africa next Tuesday and hope a winner can be found in the Uruguay and Mexico clash as the group stages near an end to stand any chance of going through to the last-16.
The contest got off to a frenetic start with chances at both ends in the opening minutes.
Despite being ruled offside, Giovani Dos Santos crashed an effort against Hugo Lloris' post, as the Central Americans set their stall out.
Soon after Carlos Vela beat the offside trap and, with two players square of him waiting for a tap-in, the forward selfishly fired over the top.
Carlos Salcido proved a dominant force from left-back and he was pivotal in many of Mexico's ambitious attacks.
The PSV man carved through the France defence before shooting straight at Lloris and he then turned provider as he crossed for substitute Pablo Barrera, only for Lloris to punch the ball against him and narrowly over.
France came back into the contest, but their distribution let them down as they wasted a number of corners and free-kicks in dangerous areas as the two teams went in at the break all-square.
France coach Raymond Domenech searched for a response and he got one in the early exchanges of the second period.
Intricate play between Franck Ribery and Florent Malouda saw the latter fouled by Efrain Juarez and Hector Moreno, with both picking up cautions for their troubles.
Opportunities from set-pieces came and went for the wasteful French and, ten minutes after the interval, Hernandez was brought into the action.
Just nine minutes later he was played in on goal and, as the France players pleaded for the linesman's flag, Hernandez rounded Lloris and slotted home.
Domenech's team huffed and puffed, but they lacked a creative spark with Ribery failing to make an impact and they were put out of their misery with ten minutes to go as Eric Abidal hacked down Barrera in the area, leaving Saudi Arabian official Khalil Al Ghamdi with an easy decision as he pointed to the spot.
Blanco stepped forward and stroked the ball past Lloris in confident style to send the travelling fans into raptures.
Hernandez then shot straight at Lloris and, with the three additional minutes played, the referee ended the contest and France now need help from others if they are to reach the second round.
Second half goals from substitutes Javier Hernandez and veteran Cuauhtemoc Blanco plunged the dagger into France's World Cup Group A adventure.
They now have to defeat South Africa next Tuesday and hope a winner can be found in the Uruguay and Mexico clash as the group stages near an end to stand any chance of going through to the last-16.
The contest got off to a frenetic start with chances at both ends in the opening minutes.
Despite being ruled offside, Giovani Dos Santos crashed an effort against Hugo Lloris' post, as the Central Americans set their stall out.
Soon after Carlos Vela beat the offside trap and, with two players square of him waiting for a tap-in, the forward selfishly fired over the top.Carlos Salcido proved a dominant force from left-back and he was pivotal in many of Mexico's ambitious attacks.
The PSV man carved through the France defence before shooting straight at Lloris and he then turned provider as he crossed for substitute Pablo Barrera, only for Lloris to punch the ball against him and narrowly over.
France came back into the contest, but their distribution let them down as they wasted a number of corners and free-kicks in dangerous areas as the two teams went in at the break all-square.France coach Raymond Domenech searched for a response and he got one in the early exchanges of the second period.
Intricate play between Franck Ribery and Florent Malouda saw the latter fouled by Efrain Juarez and Hector Moreno, with both picking up cautions for their troubles.
Opportunities from set-pieces came and went for the wasteful French and, ten minutes after the interval, Hernandez was brought into the action.Just nine minutes later he was played in on goal and, as the France players pleaded for the linesman's flag, Hernandez rounded Lloris and slotted home.
Domenech's team huffed and puffed, but they lacked a creative spark with Ribery failing to make an impact and they were put out of their misery with ten minutes to go as Eric Abidal hacked down Barrera in the area, leaving Saudi Arabian official Khalil Al Ghamdi with an easy decision as he pointed to the spot.
Blanco stepped forward and stroked the ball past Lloris in confident style to send the travelling fans into raptures.Hernandez then shot straight at Lloris and, with the three additional minutes played, the referee ended the contest and France now need help from others if they are to reach the second round.
