World Cup 2014 Brazil » Group A » Live commentary: Croatia - Mexico 1:3

Endgame Summary:
Congratulations for this achievement. Mexico more than deserves this victory due to the better chances and the ambitions which were visible throughout the whole match. The defensive outline was made to neutralise the Croatian top stars Rakitic and Modric, the fast counterattacks and strong corners made the difference even clearer. Therefore, this fight knows only one winner: the Aztecs. Kovac's eleven was too risk-averse, no courage could be felt. It is a pity to not see players like Mandžukić or Modrić anymore. But in total the team performance was just not balanced enough to continue. Mexico will have a hard time against the Netherlands but with a disciplined performance just like today's everything is possible for El Tri in this World Cup.

No doubt, Mexico will continue the tournament. Croatian efforts are not strong enough. Perišić has the last chance to score but is not lucky striking his volley from the penalty spot directly into the arms of Ochoa.

Goooal for Croatia, 1:3 by Ivan Perišić
Also the Croats score! Ivan Perišić can be proud to be the first guy to score against Mexico. Neither Brazil nor Cameroon did manage that! His strong strike from few meters was almost bombed the second post away, now 3:1 it is.

Goooal for Mexico, 0:3 by Javier Hernández
Incredible! Now Herrera's team are sending the Kovac and his players back to the Adriatic costs. Hernández scores his goal after a corner was headed on to the second post. The forward was left completely alone - of course, a guy like El Chicharrito would penalize this irresponsible defensive behavior.

Goooal for Mexico, 0:2 by Andrés Guardado
And there is the second one! Only three minutes after the 1:0 Croatia is to offensive and lets the Aztecs launch a fast counter attack. A direct ball from the right side has Guardado as adressee who scores from 10 meters not leaving Pletikosa with a glance of a chance.

Goooal for Mexico, 0:1 by Rafael Márquez
Now it is in! A corner finds the forehead of oldie but goldie Rafa Márquez who smashes the header into Pletikosa's goal. Corluka lost the duel against the 35-year-old. Mexico truly deserves this goal due to the far better chances and bigger ambitions to score.

What a chance! The corner after the penalty situation is about to bring the 1:0 for Mexico, as the sliced cross is directed to the second post. But Corluka is there and clears.

The long awaited entrance of "El Chicharrito" Hernández is celebrated by the fans. Maybe he is the one to bring the dynamics back to Herrera's team.

Good move by Mexico! A pass is nicely slipped through to Dos Santos. Already in the box the Villareal striker would have the possibility to finish but is challenged by Srna. Great challenge by the old hand who is playing in Ucraine for Shakhtar Donezk.

Misunderstanding in the Mexican back line. But Croatia is not able to make use of the reluctance to play the hard-line football their coach would demand from them.

The second half has just started as Peralta suddenly appears in the box after a long-distance pass. But Lovren is on his side and clears this tricky situation.

Halftime Summary:
We are following a true fight for the continuation of the tournament. Mexico was closer to scoring the first goal of the match. A chance by Herrera hitting the bar from long-range was followed by an opportunity for Peralta who would just have to hit the ball but - embarrassing enough - didn't even manage to touch it. Croatia gave everything to fight back but the Mexican strategy to keep Modric and Rakitic factually out of the game was the key to the light dominance of El Tri. As Brazil is leading against Cameroon at the moment, Márquez and friends are currently qualified for the eighth final. But things change and we will soon know who will acceed to the next round in the end.

The match is getting rougher, the tacklings harder and the quarrels between the players more emotional. The heat is on!

The free kick resulting from Márquez' foul is decent enough to leave the El Tri supporters sighing loudly. But again, a meter or more a the difference between in and out.

Despite the Croatian improvements, the Mexicans are back up front. But all their efforts do not create real danger now.

The Croatians are doing better than just minutes ago. The two big opportunities of Mexico woke them up. In this situation it is Perisic to get the ball in a promising position. But slices the half-volley high and wide into the Brazilian sky. He's able to do that better, but should start to show his skills as of now - otherwise holidays will arrive earlier than actually wanted.

Although the match has lost a little bit of its high pace, it's Herrera's team to continue moving forward. Although they would need the victory much more, the Croatians somehow refrain from attacking.

The Aztecs are about to score! A straight pass finds Peralta who is just 5 Meters ahead from Pletikosa. But he misses this big chance horrendously. The crowd moans up, Peralta must have buried that one without any doubt.

As a consequence, the Croats are given a corner. This represents a big danger for Ochoa, but neither Srna nor Olic can hit the ball towards the ball.

The resulting free kick is quickly brought long range to Herrera. But the winger is not able to control Márquez' through-ball only some meters ahead of the goal.

First danger for Mexico! A corner from the right is centred nicely towards the penalty spot. The Mexican do not react as quickly as it would have been necessary. But Pranjic misses high and wide. The ball is sent to the Atlantic ocean.

Kick off, we are getting started! We will surely have some fun here!

Kovac’s eleven is lined up as widely known as the opponent’s squad. The pride of the team is the central midfield with the newest Barcelona transfer Ivan Rakitic and Madrid’s Luca Modric. Up front, old star Olic will support Mandzukic to make ends meet and shoot the necessary goals against a firm Aztec defense. The only if-at-all weekness can be found in the defense in which Corluka and Lovren did not leave the most secure impression until now.

On the other side, former Barcelona star Rafa Márquez praises the high quality of the red-white chequerboard-patterned team: “Croatia have loads of very talented players. They’ve got very quick wingers who can get to the byline and put the ball in the box. They’ve also got a lethal striker and some of the best central midfielders around. They’re a great team, so it won’t be easy. We’ll have to give our best to get at least a point and move on to the next phase.” Therefore, so the 35-year-old Champions League winner argues, “Keeping clean sheets has been key for us and we’re determined to keep that going.”

The situation is clear: If Brazil does not lose against Cameroon only one of the two teams will continue playing the tournament. Mexico being one point ahead of Croatia, needs only a draw but for sure will do everything to avoid the group B winning Dutchmen in the next round. Croatia has only a chance when beating, and hence, eliminating Mexico.