In the final Group A matches on Tuesday, Uruguay defeated Mexico 1–0 in Rustenberg to finish atop the group with seven points. Mexico also qualified for the round of 16 with four points due to their better goal differential (+1 to -2) as compared to South Africa.
The host nation recorded only the second victory for an African nation at the World Cup by downing a dismal French side 2–1 in Bloemfontein.
At the start of the day, both Uruguay and Mexico knew that a draw would get them through to the round of 16, with Uruguay first and Mexico second. But the match between the two teams was a lively contest as both teams went for the win.
Andres Guardado had Mexico’s best first half chance as his long left-footer rattled off the crossbar in the 21st minute.
But Uruguay had their chances too and just before halftime, Diego Forlan fed a ball to the right wing from where Edinson Cavani sent a perfect cross to striker Luis Suarez at the far post. Suarez nodded it home for the winning goal.
Despite being a goal down, Mexico knew that it would really take a miracle for them not to qualify. Whether or not they knew South Africa was leading 2–0 for most of the game didn’t matter, as the hosts would need at least two more goals to advance.
Mexico had more possession than the Uruguayans, however, the South American side created more scoring threats. In the 54th minute, Mexican keeper Oscar Perez came up with the save of the match. His reaction save stopped a point blank header from central defender Diego Lugano off a Forlan free kick.
Mexico’s best chance to equalize came in the 65th minute when Francisco Rodriguez’s close range header went just past the far post. If it was a striker heading it, it might have found the back of the net.
The host nation recorded only the second victory for an African nation at the World Cup by downing a dismal French side 2–1 in Bloemfontein.
At the start of the day, both Uruguay and Mexico knew that a draw would get them through to the round of 16, with Uruguay first and Mexico second. But the match between the two teams was a lively contest as both teams went for the win.
Andres Guardado had Mexico’s best first half chance as his long left-footer rattled off the crossbar in the 21st minute.
But Uruguay had their chances too and just before halftime, Diego Forlan fed a ball to the right wing from where Edinson Cavani sent a perfect cross to striker Luis Suarez at the far post. Suarez nodded it home for the winning goal.
Despite being a goal down, Mexico knew that it would really take a miracle for them not to qualify. Whether or not they knew South Africa was leading 2–0 for most of the game didn’t matter, as the hosts would need at least two more goals to advance.
Mexico had more possession than the Uruguayans, however, the South American side created more scoring threats. In the 54th minute, Mexican keeper Oscar Perez came up with the save of the match. His reaction save stopped a point blank header from central defender Diego Lugano off a Forlan free kick.
Mexico’s best chance to equalize came in the 65th minute when Francisco Rodriguez’s close range header went just past the far post. If it was a striker heading it, it might have found the back of the net.
