WC2010 review: Mexico

Mexico played an extremely exciting brand of football in South Africa which entertained anyone who decided to sit and watch the El Tri.

With a highly attacking nature doubled with some gallant defending, Mexico managed to just get through their group and into the second phase of the tournament.

Unfortunately it ended in a 3-1 loss to Argentina but they lost no friends with the way they went about it although they did lose coach Javier Aguirre who stepped down after their exit.

Aguirre believed he was responsible for his sides early demise but it only shows that the Mexicans now expect much more out of themselves which holds them in good stead moving forward.

“It's very clear. The first person responsible is me. I believe that I have to resign my job, Aguirre said when he resigned. "It's the most honest solution, the fairest and it's something I have to do."

Finished: 15th
Record: Wins – 1; Draws – 1; Losses – 2; Points – 4
Matches: South Africa (1-1), France (2-0), Uruguay (0-1), RO16-Argentina (1-3)
Goals: 4
Against: 5

tribalfootball.com’s Star Man
Giovani dos Santos (The speedy winger lit up the group stage with his frenetic pace and creation of goalscoring chances)

Official statistics

Minutes played
Giovani dos Santos 360
Gerardo Torrado 360
Oscar Perez 360
Francisco Rodriguez 360
Rafael Marquez 360
Ricardo Osorio 360
Carlos Salcido 360

Top scorers
Javier Hernandez 2
Rafael Marquez 1
Cuauhtemoc Blanco 1

Total shots
Carlos Salcido 9
Javier Hernandez 7
Giovani dos Santos 7
Rafael Marquez 6

Pass Completion Rate
Efrain Juarez 84%
Rafael Marquez 81%
Francisco Rodriguez 81%
Gerardo Torrado 78%

Most Fouls
Gerardo Torrado 15
Giovani dos Santos 10
Rafael Marquez 10
Carlos Salcido 9
Guillermo Franco 9

Yellow cards
Efrain Juarez 2
Israel Castro 1
Javier Hernandez 1
Hector Moreno 1
Francisco Rodriguez 1
Guillermo Franco 1
Rafael Marquez 1
Gerardo Torrado 1

Red cards
none

Saves
Oscar Perez 14