Mexico's run-up to the World Cup was shaky at best. They barely qualified for the thing, and a carousel of coaches and players were brought in and out of the team due to performance issues. Today, however, they did just enough to secure all three points in a must-have over Cameroon, the weakest team in Group A.
El Tri were heated early on. They attacked right at Cameroon's pressing, finding ample space in midfield to create chances. After a few missed connections, Giovani dos Santos got on the scoreboard... Or not.
This was somehow disallowed by the linesman. SMH. Soon after that, Dos Santos had ANOTHER goal called offside, and again, it was a bad call.
Corner kicks are almost impossible to be called offside on, because no player is stupid enough to line-up, well, offside. The in-swinging corner glanced off a Cameroonian defender, which should've put Dos Santos onside. That deflection, however, was missed by the linesman.
The second half brought more of the same. Mexico continued to press and miss chances. Cameroon was unable to find the perfect ball in the final third to capitalize on forward Samuel Eto'o's movement and a shaky Mexican back line. There was a break-through at the 61st minute, courtesy of some slick passing and a nice rebound by Oribe Peralta.
And Mexican coach Miguel Herrera lost his mind.
80 percent of teams that win their first World Cup game advance to the next round. Mexican fans can breathe a littler easier today.
