France 0 Mexico 2: Javier Hernandez and Cuauhtemoc Blanco fire as El Tri prove too hot for Les Bleus
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.’
