FCBARCELONA.CAT

17.06.2010 22:51

Mexican joy, French woe (2-0)

www.fcbarcelona.cat

Rafael Marquez’s Mexico have a foot and a half in the second round of the World Cup after a 2-0 win over a lacklustre France.

Thierry Henry and Eric Abidal look set to be the first FC Barcelona players to be returning from South Africa. Tonight’s defeat leaves France, finalists in 2006 and champions in 1998, on the verge of elimination from the World Cup. It was a thoroughly disappointing display from France, but Marquez was outstanding as he masterminded his team to a historic win in the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

France in trouble

It leaves France rooted to the bottom of the group along with South Africa, who they face in their final game. But whatever happens in that match will be rendered irrelevant if Mexico and Uruguay’s match ends in a draw. That result would see both Latin American nations through to the last sixteen.

Mexico always looked the brighter and more imaginative of the two teams, and once again Giovanni Dos Santos, a product of the Barça youth system, was exceptional. However, the deadlock was not broken until the 64th minute and in controversial fashion when Chicharito Hernandez appeared to be in an offside position when he received the ball and danced round Hugo Lloris to slot the ball in the back of the net. The referee seemed to believe that Eric Abidal had played the Mexican substitute onside, but television replays proved that this was not the case.

Misfortune for Abidal

FC Barcelona’s defender also had a part to play in Mexico’s second goal. Pablo Barrera was through on goal when Abidal lunged in with a last-ditch tackle. Barrera took a tumble but it is highly debatable whether the Saudi Arabian referee was right to award a penalty, or whether Barrera merely milked the moment for what it was worth. And what it was worth was a second goal for Mexico, stroked home from the penalty spot expertly by Cuauhtemoc Blanco.

Although questions can be asked about the legality of both goals, there is little doubt that the best team won. Barça’s other French international, Thierry Henry, was not used, and with a dejected look on his face, watched from the bench as France’s tournament hopes faded before him.

The response from his teammates was shockingly lethargic. With the clock against them, France lacked any kind of urgency to get back into the match, and seemed resigned to the inevitable defeat. This was in stark contrast to Rafa Marquez and his Mexican side, who ended the game with smiles on their faces, knowing they are now perfectly poised for a place in the knockout stages.