Floored: Hugo Lloris can only look despairingly as
Javier Hernandez breaks the deadlock
New Manchester United signing Javier Hernandez inspired
Mexico to a superb win over a poor France side last night, leaving
the 2006 World Cup finalists on the brink of early
elimination.
Hernandez came off the bench to devastating effect, scoring the
game’s all-important opener in the 64th minute.
Another substitute, Cuauhtemoc Blanco, heaped more misery on the
bedraggled French by converting a penalty at the grand old age of
37 years and 151 days.
Mexico thoroughly deserved their win. The Central
Americans missed a host of chances before Hernandez supplied the
required composure, racing on to a perfectly timed pass from new
skipper Rafael Marquez, jinking past Hugo Lloris and slotting into
the empty net.
The strike sparked an almighty outpouring of joy, as Mexico’s
players and coaching staff mobbed the 22-year-old scorer.
Hernandez, who will complete his move from Chivas to United when he
receives a work permit in July, described it as a moment of ‘pure
happiness’.
Mexican rave: Hernandez is mobbed by
team-mates
The striker, whose grandfather scored against France at
the 1954 World Cup, added: ‘It was such a big goal for the team and
the whole country. It took a long time in coming so when I scored
it, everyone was thrilled.’
Mexico’s joy contrasted sharply with the dejection of France
coach Raymond Domenech, who incorrectly claimed Hernandez’s goal
should have been disallowed for offside.
‘All I can say is that the goal which clinched the game
shouldn’t have counted,’ said Domenech.
Few will have sympathy with France’s outgoing boss, given the
manner in which the former world champions reached South Africa,
helped by Thierry Henry’s blatant handball to set up a play-off
goal which denied Ireland.
What goes around...: A fan makes reference to the
furore over France qualifying against Ireland
The loss leaves France bottom of Group A with one point
and without a goal, while Mexico join Uruguay at the top with four
points.
A draw between those two in the last game would seal the
elimination of France. Domenech’s decision to recall Chelsea winger
Florent Malouda did not spark an improvement, as his incoherent
team failed to create openings for the second game
running.
Zut alors! France contemplate an early World Cup
exit
Mexico might have opened the scoring inside eight
minutes as Carlos Vela sprinted clear of Arsenal teammate William
Gallas only to blast over. Guillermo Franco and Giovani dos Santos
also struck efforts off target and Carlos Salcido forced Lloris
into a sharp save.
The European giants enjoyed plenty of possession but did little
with it. They continue to resemble a collection of individuals
rather than a team, rarely combining in the final third.
Indeed, it took them 45 minutes to conjure a shot on target and
even then, Nicolas Anelka’s weak effort did not trouble Oscar
Perez.
Anelka was hauled off for Andre-Pierre Gignac at the break, yet
it was Mexico’s substitutes who proved decisive.
Doubling up: Cuauhtemoc Blanco beats Lloris from
twelve yards
After Hernandez’s goal, Pablo Barrera, who had replaced
the injured Vela, was felled by the clumsy Eric Abidal. Blanco
easily beat Lloris from the spot.
Javier Aguirre was generous enough to describe the game as ‘very
tight’, the Mexico coach adding: ‘We were stronger than France in
the second half.’
