Confederations Cup: Mexico v. Argentina
Mexico crashes out of Confederations Cup
semi-final, leaving Argentina to face Brazil in the final on June
29
FUTBLOG: I admit, I wasn't very excited about the
Confederations Cup, the match-up of winners of the different continental
championships. It is a new competition and small, earning nothing like the
respect of the decades-old World Cup.
But I recorded the Mexico-Brazil match anyway, and at work one morning a Peruvian friend inquired as to whether I had watched it. No, I replied, but don't tell me who won, I'll watch it tonight. And I'm very glad I did. The game was a great upset by Mexico, which won a tenacious, if not pretty, match-up.
Mexico start off in promising fashion, with Borgetti and Lozano displaying good understanding in the box. At the other end, Mexico works hard to keep Argentina at bay, putting off their transition game. The Mexican pressure is sustained for the first 30 minutes, but then Argentina come forward through Saviola, who is thwarted towards the end of the half and again 8 minutes into the second 45.
Naelson hits the post in the 10th minute of the second half. In the opening 15 minutes of the second half Mexico sees less of the ball, but that changes as the half progresses. The game takes an ugly physical turn as Coloccini knocks out Morales with a flying tackle. Saviola loses his temper as regular time runs out, kicking at an opponent, earning a red card. Unable to exploit the one-man advantage, Marquez slides in ugly from behind and gets a second yellow a minute later, reducing both teams to 10 men.
In overtime, Salcido scored for Mexico, but Argentina equalized in the dying minutes of the overtime period, forcing penalty kicks. Lux proved the hero here, saving a penalty, and Argentina advanced 6-5 to the all-South American final with Brazil.
Brazil beat Argentina decisively in the final days later. The Confederations Cup remains of incidental interest, but for a while, for those teams participating, it can bring out almost the same passions as the older tourneys.
But I recorded the Mexico-Brazil match anyway, and at work one morning a Peruvian friend inquired as to whether I had watched it. No, I replied, but don't tell me who won, I'll watch it tonight. And I'm very glad I did. The game was a great upset by Mexico, which won a tenacious, if not pretty, match-up.
Mexico start off in promising fashion, with Borgetti and Lozano displaying good understanding in the box. At the other end, Mexico works hard to keep Argentina at bay, putting off their transition game. The Mexican pressure is sustained for the first 30 minutes, but then Argentina come forward through Saviola, who is thwarted towards the end of the half and again 8 minutes into the second 45.
Naelson hits the post in the 10th minute of the second half. In the opening 15 minutes of the second half Mexico sees less of the ball, but that changes as the half progresses. The game takes an ugly physical turn as Coloccini knocks out Morales with a flying tackle. Saviola loses his temper as regular time runs out, kicking at an opponent, earning a red card. Unable to exploit the one-man advantage, Marquez slides in ugly from behind and gets a second yellow a minute later, reducing both teams to 10 men.
In overtime, Salcido scored for Mexico, but Argentina equalized in the dying minutes of the overtime period, forcing penalty kicks. Lux proved the hero here, saving a penalty, and Argentina advanced 6-5 to the all-South American final with Brazil.
Brazil beat Argentina decisively in the final days later. The Confederations Cup remains of incidental interest, but for a while, for those teams participating, it can bring out almost the same passions as the older tourneys.
Posted: Mon - June 27, 2005 at 11:30 PM
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Published On: Jun 13, 2006 12:00 AM
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Published On: Jun 13, 2006 12:00 AM