Mexico vs United States - 2002 World Cup

Home: World Cup 2002: Korea-Japan Finals: Knockout Stage: Match Report

Monday, June 17th

Lucky Loser is Worthy Winner

Brad Friedel gets his first touch of the ball, in the second minute, as Mexico attack early.

0:1
Brian McBride fired America ahead in their first real attack, after good work from Claudio Reyna on the right, in the 8th minute.

Mexico continued to pass the ball around well but couldn't get near enough to the American goal to put Brad Friedel under any real pressure.

To try and open things up and get Jared Borgetti into the game more, Mexico's Luis Hernandez replaced Ramon Morales in the 28th minute.

Brad Friedel held things together in the 35th minute by punching away one attack, as far as Cuauthémoc Blanco, and flapping away Blanco's return.

Two minutes later, Josh Wolff should have done better than drill the ball at Oscar Perez; when he had a clear view of the goal.

Mexico's last wave of attacks came to nothing and they would have to rethink their strategy for the second-half.

Half-time: Mexico 0 - United States 1

Mexico were lucky to get a free-kick n the 52nd minute, that Brad Friedel pushed onto the bar.

Mexico were putting America under sustained pressure and should have been awarded a penalty for handball, in the 55th minute.

0:2
Just as Mexico seemed to be getting back into the game, Landon Donovan headed in Eddie Lewis' perfect cross from the left, in the 65th minute.

A minute later, Luis Hernandez was booked for diving in search of a penalty.

Eight yellow cards were handed out in this second half, bringing the total to ten yellow cards with five minutes still to play.

Then Mexico's captain, Rafael Marquez, let his side down by head-butting Cobi Jones with two minutes to go.

Final Score:
Mexico 0 - United States 2

United States qualify for a match against Germany in the Quarter-final.

Man of the Match:
Landon Donovan - Worked hard during the game and extended America's lead just as Mexico started to look dangerous.

Red Cards:
Rafael Marquez (88 mins)

Yellow Cards:
Eddie Pope (26 mins)
Manuel Vidrio (37 mins)
Pablo Mastroeni (47 mins)
Josh Wolff (50 mins)
Greg Berhalter (53 mins)
Luis Hernandez (66 mins)
Cuauthémoc Blanco (70 mins)
Garcia Aspe (81 mins)
Brad Friedel (83 mins)
Salvador Carmona (84 mins)

The Teams

Mexico:
1 Oscar Pérez; 16 Salvador Carmona, 7 Ramon Morales (15 Luis Hernandez - 28 mins), 5 Manuel Vidrio (13 Sigifredo Mercado - 46 mins); 11 Braulio Luna, 4 Rafael Marquez, 18 Johan Rodriguez, 6 Gerardo Torrado (8 Garcia Aspe - 78 mins); 21 Jesus Arellano, 10 Cuauthémoc Blanco, 9 Jared Borgetti.

United States:
1 Brad Friedel; 3 Greg Berhalter, 4 Pablo Mastroeni (16 Carlos Llamosa - 92 mins), 23 Eddie Pope, 22 Tony Sanneh; 21 Landon Donovan, 7 Eddie Lewis, 5 John O'Brien, 10 Claudio Reyna; 20 Brian McBride (13 Cobi Jones - 79 mins), 15 Josh Wolff (8 Earnie Stewart - 59 mins).

Referee: Vitor Melo Pereira