Top Stories

World Cup Daily Recap: Viva Mexico, Higuain nets hat trick, Greece stays alive

BPI_FranvMexi.bc2p

Photo by ISIphotos.com

By AVI CREDITOR

Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez figures to make his name overseas when he suits up for new club Manchester United later this summer. His breakout party might be happening right now, though.

Hernandez executed a perfectly timed run to beat France's offside trap and eventually keeper Hugo Lloris in the 64th minute, and Cuauhtemoc Blanco later converted a penalty kick to give Mexico a 2-0 victory over Les Bleus in a critical Group A match.

The victory brings Mexico to the cusp of reaching the knockout stage, while the loss sends France, the 2006 runner-up, tumbling toward an early exit.

Chicharito entered the match in the 55th minute and didn't take long to make an impact. He ran onto Rafael Marquez' long through ball and trotted in on goal all alone as defenders presumed he was offside. Lloris came out to force Hernandez to make a move, and the 22-year-old took a touch to the right before confidently scoring and setting off a Mexican celebration.

Blanco scored in the 79th minute, becoming the first Mexican to score in three World Cups, by finishing from the spot after Eric Abidal fouled Pablo Barrera in the box.

Mexico will face co-group-leader Uruguay on Tuesday, with a draw sending both teams through. France and host South Africa, both three points behind the leaders, each need to win and make up a hefty goal differential to entertain thoughts of miraculously making it to the knockout stage.

Here are the highlights from Mexico's victory:

ARGENTINA 4, SOUTH KOREA 1

Gonzalo Higuain was the beneficiary of some fantastic team passing, as the Real Madrid striker became the first player to record a World Cup hat trick since 2002 in the one-sided victory.

A Lionel Messi free kick resulted in a Park Chu-Young own-goal in the 17th minute to open the scoring. Higuain doubled the margin in the 33rd minute by heading home Nicolas Burdisso's flick-on from short range and seemingly giving Argentina total control.

Martin Demichelis' lack of awareness allowed Lee Chung-Yong to swoop in and score a goal at the end of the first half, but Messi, Higuain and substitute Sergio Aguero put on an offensive clinic to finish the match.

Messi's rebound off his own miss in the 76th minute deflected off the left post and right to Higuain, who tapped it in at the goal mouth for the 3-1 lead. On another breakout four minutes later, Messi delivered a sensational chip to Aguero on the left, who crossed to Higuain by the far post. Higuain's pinpoint header capped off his historic night and gave him the lead in the race for the tournament's Golden Boot.

The win, which gave Argentina control of Group B with six points, might have come at a cost, as star defender Walter Samuel had to limp off in the 24th minute with an apparent leg injury.

Here are highlights from the match:

GREECE 2, NIGERIA 1

The Greeks took advantage of a foolish Sani Kaita decision that earned him a red card, scoring the country's first two World Cup goals in earning the country's first-ever World Cup victory in a must-win situation.

Kaita unnecessarily shoved and attempted to kick Vasilis Torosidis after being taunted with the ball out of play in the 33rd minute. Referee Oscar Ruiz only punished the retaliation and delivered the card to send Nigeria, 1-0 leaders at the time, down to 10 men.

It didn't take long for Greece to seize control of the match.

Dimitrios Salpingidis beat keeper Vincent Enyeama on a deflected shot right before halftime to pull Greece level, and Torosidis took advantage of a rare Enyeama mistake, touching home a rebound in the 71st minute for the winner.

Aside from allowing the rebound, Enyeama was brilliant in goal again, making acrobatic, point-blank, reflexive saves while being peppered by Greece shots. He made nine saves, a game after stopping six shots from Argentina.

Kalu Uche had given Nigeria the early lead after his long free kick from the left went untouched into the goal in the 16th minute. Peter Odimwingie had cut across the goal and keeper Alexandros Tzorvas anticipated a deflection, but it never came. 

All is not lost for the Super Eagles despite starting the World Cup 0-2-0. Should they defeat South Korea and Greece fall to Argentina, they can still get out of Group B and through to the knockout stage.

Here are highlights from the match:


————–

Think Mexico can win its group? Should Chicharito be starting? Believing that Maradona can take Argentina all the way? Who, besides Argentina, do you think makes it out of Group B?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Argentina is doing quite well – that it for sure. But I can only say that… it will be a great day when writers in the U.S. and abroad start penning articles about Uruguay, Chile and Paraguay.

    No on talks about these wonderful teams or their skillful players. It’s a shame – there’s a lot of talent there and it should be spotlighted. All we ever hear about is Argentina and Brazil.

    Reply
  2. I was at the game and prior to Higuain’s goals I was saying to the people around me how overrated he was. I still believe that. He missed all the half chances and made the can’t miss ones, which is to his credit. But all he did was put the ball in the net when there were no other options. Without Messi, this Argentine team looks very average. Tevez is a bulldog but other than him, this is not a classically skilled Argentine team. And let’s not talk about the defense. Someone is going to expose Heinze and Demekelis.

    Reply
  3. I agree with you. Mexico has their third best goalie starting, which is not good. He is not even the third best goalie in the mexican league. The coach wants experience at the net. He should have called on owsbaldo sanchez if he wanted experience.

    Reply
  4. When Uruguay drew with France, Uruguay received high praise. When Mexico defeats France, it’s because France is a week team.

    That does not make sense.

    Acknowledge that Mexico played a good game and support the Concacaf teams.

    Reply
  5. Congrats to Mexico but I’m surprised no commentator has noted that all 3 of their goals in the WC so far have either been scored or created (the goal against SA was all bc of Guardado’s cross) by subs.

    If they continue to start Guillermo Franco and don’t start Guardado or Hernandez, and with Ochoa in goal (who has a 5’9 keeper?) they’re going out early in the knockout rounds.

    Reply
  6. Never thought I would say this, but “put ‘er there Mexico, put ‘er there.”

    Your cheap food in my neighborhood still gives me nausea though. Should work on that post-WC.

    Reply
  7. That would be great, but I don’t see most of them getting through to the next round.

    Hopefully Ghana and Ivory Coast can have a good showing…

    Reply
  8. Teams from the Americas are showing that the South Africa World Cup is for the Americas, not Europe.

    Go CONCACAF, go CONMEBOL in this World Cup!

    Reply
  9. I couldn’t imagine myself EVER rooting for Mexico, but that’s exactly what I found myself doing today. They were far and away the better side, and like many others here, I was pleased to see CONCACAF stick it to yet another overrated Euro team. What’s crazy is Mexico continues to struggle with finishing chances — this should have been 4 or 5-0 or 5-1. Well done.

    Regarding Argentina — Higuain is a joke. He has been incredibly poor, and his “hat trick” was three sitters right in front of the net. Prime example of when Golden Boot does not equate Golden Ball. On both fronts, however, I’m still rooting against Argentina — and I think anyone who runs into Mexico should be concerned.

    They’ve taken care of business, and in less than 12 hrs it’s time for the US to do their part!

    Reply
  10. Here comes Martha, the same person who passed out celebrating the thrilling tie between the US and England.

    All of sudden France sucks??

    You are seriously delusional. Had to be a salvie.

    Reply
  11. What happened to Henry?

    Henry’s Zodiac and Numerology signs did not line up with the Aurora and North Star because Taurus was clearly sniffing the big dipper’s crotch.

    So Valbuena played.

    I love that Domenech. So much comedy!

    Reply
  12. Not impressed thou i know the Mexicans are. The French team have been pure crap the last 6 years. This is not Zinidines France.
    I told all my Mexi friends this would be an easy game for them when they got the draw. Even so they wer outplayed for most of the game and had to rely on a lucky offside call and to the counterattacking style thier fans love to criticize the US for. The second goal just shows how bad and stupid the French team is.

    I couldnt decide which team i wanted to see lose more. I was hoping they would both find a way to lose.

    Reply
  13. It was a fair result for Mexico against a poor France side. Mexico deserved the 3 points.

    Uruguay, however, have shown they can play strong defense AND attack…so it should be a good match to watch.

    France has been a disgrace so far in this tournament. I’d be shocked if they even get a point against South Africa.

    Reply
  14. Honduras did look decent, but I don’t see them getting a result against Spain.

    Oh well, if 2 out of 3 CONACAF teams make it to 2nd round that would be nice.

    Reply
  15. I respect strikers who finish, but Higuain would have to have been lobotomized not to hit those chances, none of which he created. I was watching the Argentina vs. South Korea match by the way.

    Reply
  16. Good job by Mexico….but what happened to Henry? This coach should not be there for France third game. This is the world cup you put your best players on the field. Mexico showed that…France did not! Poor ending for Henry’s career.

    Reply
  17. When asked about representing CONCACAF and the United States, the coach said “We could care less about the states. I hope they dont make it, so we dont have to face them like in 2002.”

    Reply
  18. Mexico will not want to face Argentina, I can’t see them playing for a draw against Uruguay.

    Greece didn’t look that good until Keita got the red card, I don’t see them getting a result against Argentina. I still hold to my original prediction of South Korea getting out of the group along with Argentina.

    Reply
  19. USMNT fans – thanks for your support. You guys have a lot of class. I will be pulling for Donovan and the boys tomorrow!

    Reply
  20. First half has been one of the best the WC so far. it shows the difference between 1st and 2nd games. 2 game does not longer show the caution of the first round, hence higher scoring.

    I do support the spirit on this thread. We support America / Concacaf over any eurotrash.

    HC

    Reply
  21. Messi had the best game of anyone in the tournament thus far in my opininion. It was great to see him carrying over his club form to the international game.

    Reply
  22. If Mexico draw, they’ll almost certainly face Argentina. Argentina has a history of knocking out Mexico (WC 2006, Copa America 2007) so its in their best interest to win the next game.

    Reply
  23. Unfortunatly I can imagine Uruguay establishing a tempo that will make it very easy for a dull Mexico-Uruguay draw. That is unless the Mexicans are motivated to win the group and avoid a bad matchup in the Round of 16.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to jjranes Cancel reply