France = Fail. Pic Source = Guardian.
France 0
Mexico 2: Hernandez 64, Blanco 79 (pen)
Pay attention to France now, because it doesn't look like you'll be seeing them for much longer.
Bacary Sagna, William Gallas, and Abou Diaby all started for the French team, who were pretty dreadful on the whole. France have now appeared ridiculously frustrated for 180 minutes in this tournament, and from the results they've put up so far, it looks like they have 90 minutes left in South Africa.
In their 0-0 draw with Uruguay, they at least kept the door shut defensively. Today, they did not. Mexico perfectly beat a woeful offside trap with a perfect chip pass, giving soon-to-be Manchester United forward Javier Hernandez a beautiful opening goal. It's not so much the trap failing that was bad, rather, it was the defenders' lack of hustle to fix the situation when the flag didn't go up from the assistant. They just stood around with their arms in the air in confusion.
The second goal came as a consequence of some bad defense again, but this time, the Gunners on the back line can't be faulted. Patrice Evra, captain and all, appeared to give up on the play as Barrero carried the ball into the box on the break and was taken out poorly by Barcelona's Eric Abidal, giving Mexico a penalty. It was truly a poor challenge from Abidal; he has the speed to be able to close down Barrero, but instead, chose to lunge at him in a sliding challenge that was nowhere near the ball. Blanco converted the penalty, giving Mexico a great chance to advance to the Round of 16.
Carlos Vela started for Mexico, but left with a hamstring injury at the half hour mark. His tournament is probably over. Arsenal players remain made of glass.
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