France 0-2 Mexico

France stand on the brink of spectacular World Cup elimination after being defeated 2-0 by Mexico.

Both sides showed enterprise in the opening half of the game, but Mexico looked the likelier side to strike prior to the break. El Tri did find the net midway through the second period, substitute Javier Hernandez registering the opening goal. A Cuauhtemoc Blanco hammered a second nail into the France coffin.

If les Bleus were somewhat lacklustre in their opening fixture, Mexico were vigorous for much of their bow, and it would be the North Americans who set the tone in a lively opening. The tone was set just a couple of minutes into the game, when Giovani dos Santos hit the post, though had the ball found the net it would have been disallowed due to the assistant referee’s flag.

Contrary to many of the World Cup’s early games, this was an exciting end-to-end affair with a plethora of shots at either end. Les Bleus were doing their best to make the play, but el Tri offered a real threat on the break, with the pace of Carlos Vela and Dos Santos really testing the French rearguard. On one occasion Vela did beat a ragged back line, but he blazed over from a difficult angle in the left channel.

Guillermo Franco also offered a threat, teasing Eric Abidal on the edge of the box but struck over.

Though France were looking bright, they had few genuine early efforts. Franck Ribery, playing in a floating role behind lone striker Nicolas Anelka, had a skimming low shot scooped up by diminutive goalkeeper Oscar Perez and also rifled a cross along the six yard box after a clever set-play.

Arsenal duo Bacary Sagna and William Gallas rarely looked comfortable in the France rearguard, and both were made to look pedestrian as Carlos Salcido got forward to good effect only to be denied by Hugo Lloris.

This early flow of opportunities was eventually stemmed, with the match following a pattern of France attacking to little purpose and Mexico countering in a threatening manner. Five minutes before the interval, Dos Santos held off Patrice Evra at the edge of the penalty box but dragged his effort wide.

Anelka had a late swing from the edge of the penalty box, but Francisco Rodriguez took the sting out of the shot, leaving the score blank at the half-time whistle.

Though Mexico looked sharp after the break, it was France who enjoyed the better efforts on goal in the early stages of the second period. Good play down the left involving Evra and Ribery culminated in a drive from Malouda that had to be seen over the bar by Perez. Moments later Ribery’s firm drive was parried wide by the custodian.

Inert offensively, France were punished after the hour mark. Rafael Marquez picked out a wonderful pass over the top that was matched by the perfect timing of Javier Hernandez’s run. The soon-to-be Manchester United forward rounded Lloris as the defence stood statuesque, before rolling the ball into the net with composure that belied his age.

Chances in front of the Mexico goal were infrequent. Andre-Pierre Gignac, a half-time substitute to replace the ineffective Anelka, blazed over from the edge of the area as les Bleus again proved impotent as they seemed to haemorrhage confidence as time progressed.

Mexico were by now bossing possession, and when a direct run from Pablo Barrera into the box frightened Abidal, the Barcelona man made a rash slide and got nowhere near the ball, pulling down the UNAM flier. From the penalty spot, Blanco placed his shot into the side-netting, dealing another hammer-blow to French hopes of World Cup progression.

Even in the dying stages, France looked directionless, with Mexico, who had never previously defeated Raymond Domenech’s side, looking the likelier outfit to alter the score.

With Mexico and Uruguay only needing to draw to seal their spot in the last 16, the odds are heavily stacked against les Bleus still being in the competition in a week’s time.