MTNFootball

June 17, 2010

Mexico stunned France 2-0 in a World Cup Group A match in Polokwane on Thursday to leave the 1998 winners and 2006 finalists teetering on the brink of elimination.

Substitute Javier Hernandez, who will play for Manchester United next season, put Mexico ahead in the 64th minute after rounding French 'keeper Hugo Lloris and coolly slotting the ball into the net soon after entering the game.

Mexico increased their advantage after an increasingly ragged France conceded a penalty when Eric Abidal scythed down Pablo Barrera, which 37-year-old Mexican striker Cuauhtemoc Blanco converted to the joy of Mexico's fans.

France created few clear chances, although Florent Malouda tested Mexican goalkeeper Oscar Perez with a rasping shot from outside the penalty area six minutes after half-time, and Franck Ribery repeated the feat two minutes later.

The result means Uruguay and Mexico only need to draw in their final Group A game on Tuesday to qualify for the next round and send France, who play host nation South Africa the same day, crashing out.

It was a thoroughly deserved win for the Mexicans, who from the first whistle looked the more potent attack, and the more organised in defence.

As they did against Uruguay on Friday, France struggled to create clear-cut chances and their glittering array of stars faded badly as the game wore on.

Too many individuals were below par for Les Bleus, who will draw more criticism from home for a performance that at times had a look of disinterest from some of the players.

Coach Raymond Domenech also decided not to use Thierry Henry at any point in the game, despite needing goals, deciding instead to use inexperienced players such as Andre-Pierre Gignac and Mathieu Valbuena.