Uruguay tops Mexico; both qualify to the second round

Uruguay has advanced to the second round undefeated and in first place of Group A after beating Mexico that also advanced in the FIFA World Cup 2010 at the Real Bafokeng stadium.

Ajax’ forward Luis Suarez scored the only goal of the game at ’43, giving his country the top spot Group A with seven points.

“We knew we had two results that benefited us,” said Suarez. “But before the match our goal was to get the three points and be group leaders.”

Mexico ended the first stage with four points, same as South Africa, but the criteria applied on the goals against favoured El Tri.

The “Celeste” will fly to Puerto Elizabeth to face South Korea, second in Group B while Mexico will revive the story of the last World Cup facing Argentina on the fourth game.

The game

Mexico’s coach Javier Aguirre decided to change the starting players due to the nature of the rival. He needed more attack but forgot to build a solid defence.

Both teams played a hard-fought and close game, were the “Charruas” turned off the Mexican attack, showing their strong defence that has allowed them to hold opponents scoreless.

After six minutes of the first half, Suarez took the ball in the Mexican area and shot a dangerous ball that went to the left side of goalie Oscar Perez.

Mexico, on the other side, never found the net. The impeccable defence of Uruguayseemed more like a high wall to climb for the Mexicans.

The Uruguayan attacking trident of Forlan, Suarez and Cavani, was a nightmare for Aguirre and his team, even though they played with a line of four defenders. This line lasted until the minute 42 when Suarez signed the match by head that went to the right side of Perez.

At that point, it was almost impossible for the Mexican team to recover the pace on the game until Aguirre decided to change the position on some defenders to try to stop Forlan and Suarez.

At the end, both teams managed to qualify to the second round after France lost to South Africa, being eliminated from the World Cup in one of the worst performances that France has ever had in the history of the tournament.

About this article

By: Cecilia Olmos
Posted: Jun 23 2010 7:02 am
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Filed under: 2010 World Cup
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