World Cup - Day 13

6/21/2006: Portugal 2 – Mexico 1 (Group D)

Mexico lost their last Group D encounter against Portugal but classified anyways due to the tie between Iran and Angola. It looked pretty bad for a while as Mexico spotted Portugal an early 2-0 advantage. The first goal was a rocket in the 6th minute from Nuno Maniche, who probably has one of the strongest kicks of any player, off a cross from Simao. The placement of the shot was impecable and Sanchez could only watch it go into the upper right hand corner. In the 23rd minute, Rafa Marquez, the Barcelona defender, thought he could get away with a little hand poke to deflect the ball from the Portuguese player who was about to head the ball, but he got caught red-handed. Portugal were awarded a PK and Simao did not waste the opportunity.

Handed an early deficit plus the prospect that an Angolan win with enough goals to establish a better goal difference would leave them out, Mexico pushed forward and just 6 minutes later, Bravo's shot forces a Ricardo save off the post. In the resulting corner, Fonseca finally connects with a glancing header to pull one goal back for Mexico. At the verge of halftime, Mexico almost tie the game when Fonseca streaks into to try to connect with a Pavel Pardo cross but barely misses the ball and hits Ricardo instead.

In the second half, Mexico come out with the same momentum established in the last 15 minutes of the first half. In the 58th minute, they are awarded a penalty for a foul on Lucho Perez. Omar Bravo, Mexico's young striker, looks serious before he takes the kick. He opts for power over placement and skies the ball upwards. Two minutes later, it appears as if the Mexicans will be awarded a second PK, but the ref decides to punish Luis Perez for diving (it looked like a clear foul to me). Perez has to leave the game with his second yellow and Mexico are reduced to 10 men.

Mexico's worries intensity when news that Angola has scored against Iran are known. More Angolan goals could mean a better goal difference for them and Mexico could be left out. Despite the man disadvantage, Mexico push forward and Omar Bravo with another chance to score shoots too early and skies another ball over the bar. In the 80th minute, Iran does a huge favor to Mexico and scores and assures that Mexico will go through even with the loss.

Mexico did not play well in this game from the outset. You can't spot a team like Portugal 2 goals and still expect to win. If they don't come out and play better against, ouch, Argentina, their next game will be their last.

------
Mexico perdio su partido contra Portugal pero clasifico de todas maneras por el empate entre Angola e Iran. Portugal empezo este partido con gran claridad y jugando un futbol muy fluido. El primer gol de Portugal cayo apenas en el minuto 6, cuando Maniche convirtio un centro con un gol espectacular. El “Tri” continuo a jugar muy mal dejandole mucho espacio a los Portugueses, y en el minuto 23, “Rafa Marquez, su baluarte defensivo que habia jugado mal desde su puesto defensivo, cometio un error gravisimo al conceder un penalty cuado manoteo un centro templado peligroso. Portugal convirtio el penal para poner el 2-0.

Sabiendo que necesitaban goles, Mexico entonces encontro su ritmo y empezo a presionar el arco de Portugal. En el minuto 29 Bravo obligo a Ricardo a salvar contra el poste. Segundos despues Fonseca marco un gol de cabeza desde el corner para el descuento. A los 45 hubo otra oportunidad para Fonseca de centro de Pardo

En el Segundo tiempo los Aztecas salieron mejor parados con propuesta de empatar el partido. En el minuto 58 le hicieron falta a Lucho Perez en el area y el arbitro otorgo penal para el Tri. Pero Omar Bravo, que parecia demasiado nervioso antes de tomar el penal, volo el resultante tiro y Mexico se quedaba atras en el marcador. Minutos despues parecia ser otro penal a favor de Mexico, pero el arbitro decidio en vez de darle otro penal a Mexico (algo que casi nunca se ve en el futbol a este nivel) penalizar a Perez, el cual fue expulsado por acumulacion de tarjetas amarillas. Reducido a 10 hombres, Mexico siguio insistiendo y Bravo volo otra pelota for arriba cuando tenia mas tiempo para avanzar sobre el area antes de tirar.

Las angustias continuaron cuando Angola tomo una ventaja de 1-0 contra Iran. Si Angola mete mas goles la diferencia le va favoreciendo y es posible que los Aztecas se quedan fuera del Mundial. A pesar de no marcar mas y lograr el empate que los hubiera puesto en la segunda ronda sin preocupacion, Iran le hace un le hace un gran favor a Mexico al empatar ese partido al minuto 80.

A pesar de perder, Mexico avanzo y jugara contra Argentina. El Tri tendra que demostrar mejor futbol o si no su proximo partido sera su ultimo.

6/21/2006: Netherlands 0 – Argentina 0 (Group D)

Replay of classic 1978 World Cup Final. The Netherlands, led by Cruyff and Haskeens, hit the post twice in extra time before Argentina finally won it 2-1 on two goals from Mario Kempes. These two teams also met in the 1998 World Cup in France, with Netherlands winning 2-1. This game was far from a classic as the two teams were only playing for position agains their Group D opponents Portugal and Mexico. It showed in an uninspired game in which both teams rested many of their starters. Still, Argentina showed their incredible depth as both Tevez and Leonel Messi played fairly well despite the fact that they couldn't score.