France, the 1998 world champions and 2006 runners-up, were left teetering on the brink of World Cup first-round elimination on Thursday when they slumped to a 2-0 defeat against Mexico.
Veteran Cuauhtemoc Blanco converted a late penalty to clinch the victory after substitute striker, Manchester United-bound Javier Hernandez, had put the Americans ahead 64 minutes into the Group A showdown at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Mexico’s first victory over France left them and Uruguay level on four points ahead of a clash in Rustenburg on Tuesday and both will advance to the next round by drawing.
France play South Africa, who have a point each, at the same time in Bloemfontein and if either wins and the other game delivers a positive result, goal difference could come into play.
“We need a miracle now,” France coach Raymond Domenech said. “We have to be strong and at least play for our honor. At least we must show something in the last match. When we are forced to rely on others, there’s nothing to say.”
Skipper Rafael Marquez warned Mexico they could not let the win go to their heads.
“We have to keep our feet on the ground despite this win,” the Barcelona defender said.
Coach Javier Aguirre added: “It was very important to beat France — they are after all the vice world champions. We turned in a very fine performance — but we are not yet mathematically through.”
Hernandez, nicknamed “Little Pea,” was ebullient after his goal.
“I am delighted with this victory more so than for my goal or indeed getting the man of the match award,” he said. “We wanted to make the Mexican people happy and this win is a first step for there is a long way to go.”
The fourth meeting of the countries in the history of the tournament kicked off in cold conditions before a large colorful crowd, with each team making one change from their opening encounter last Friday. Malouda replaced Yoann Gourcuff in the French line-up, while defender Hector Morena came in for Paul Aguilar in the Mexico side.
Saudi Arabian referee Khalil al-Ghamdi stamped his imprint early with a fourth-minute caution for veteran Mexico striker Guillermo Franco amid much protest.
Mexico had a couple of early half-chances that were not put away by Carlos Vela and Franco, while a slick French free-kick maneuver fizzled out as Franck Ribery over-hit a cross.
El Tri were more threatening as the halfway point of the opening half approached, with a William Gallas block taking the sting out of a move and Carlos Salcido firing past goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, only to miss the target. It was Lloris versus Salcido again on 27 minutes with the French goalkeeper doing well to push away a hard, low drive after the Mexican cut in from the left flank helped by timid defending.
Mexico suffered a blow when Vela limped off to be replaced by Pablo Barrera, who put Lloris under pressure almost immediately from a cross that the goalkeeper unconvincingly punched away.
Mexico broke the deadlock on 64 minutes when Hernandez raced on to a lobbed Rafael Marquez pass, rounded Lloris and calmly stroked the ball into the net.
Domenech, who gives way after the tournament to former star Laurent Blanc, stared emotion-less at the action as his side struggled to make an impact up front and his worst fears were realized after 79 minutes when Eric Abidal fouled Pablo Berrera and 37-year-old Blanco made a long run before placing a low spot-kick wide of Lloris into the corner of the net.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and