A GREAT match - France vs. Mexico 0-0 at the half

[ChairmanAgnostic]

So far, a 0-0 tie, but both sides are pushing and pressing full speed.

Both have a yellow, one called for (France's) and one questionable (Mexico's). There was a great chance for Mexico, but a brilliant save by France kept it tied. Another great chance fell away because the Mexican forward was a step offsides.

These teams do not like each other. Added to that, this is a Must Win for both teams. A tie hurts them both.

Overall, France is playing dirtier (if they get away with it, that is an advantage) while Mexico seems to have this Team ESP working to find another teammate.
A couple of people dinged, but no substitutions yet.

The second half, if anything, will be even tougher, faster, and more energetic.

Even those who don't understand or like the World Cup, this game is precisely what futbol is all about.

[Critters2]

1. I seriously do not understand a sport where a game can end in a tie

in a world championship tournament. Honestly. Don't get it. :shrug:

[ChairmanAgnostic]

4. if I may,

during the first round of round robin, wins earn 3 points, ties earn one, and the top two teams advance. Because a fluke can happen in any game, this ends up being the best way to score the first round.

After that, at the finals, there will be no time. First a couple of OTs, then if still tied, then a shoot out, which one must win by two shots.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. It's called competitiveness.

It's generally better then wildly uneven contests.

[malaise]

2. Hard game to call

Mexico is playing much better than I expected.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

3. much better than Game 1

one sub each to start off. And again, a dive by France earns a free kick. This one will be dangerous.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

5. another yellow for Mexico.

that earns that player a vacation for the next game.

Now, another yellow for mexico. Two fast ones. whew.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

6. FOUL on France! Dangerous kick here.

25 yrds away.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

7. Cute play, but Brarera kicked it over the net.

A pretty set piece.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

9. France looks a bit gunshy,

with 9 in the back, no one running ahead. Then again, Mexico has been pressing and hard.

Mexico's passes are crisp, fast, well directed. France seems a bit tired at the start of the second half.

Oooh, fancy footwork, a sharp pass, and A GREAT SAVE by Mexico saves a sure goal.
Wow, that was sweet. A back heel pass, then another to a running forward, what a pretty play.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

10. Mexico substitutes one star for another, and damn

France came close to sneaking one it.

Hernandez is very popular in Mexico, almost as much as Blanco. (who used to star at Chicago)
And he gets taken down for a penalty. Welcome to the game indeed.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

11. France brought it up sharply to the center,

but Mexico swarmed the ball and took it away.
Another great pass by France to the right, but again, Mexico defends beautifully.
Corner kick France.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

12. Blanco subs on! Watch him take over the field

as olde, slow, and did I say old? as he is.

The man is a magician, and he makes everyone
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL! ! ! ! !

[malaise]

14. GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAL!

OhOhOhOhOh - Mexico!!! Lovely goal :D

[ChairmanAgnostic]

15. at first, I thought the ref was tickie tackie, but

he is calling the game pretty well. France always plays hard, and Mexico earned those yellows.
A tough match, a great goal. WOw, what a pretty steal!

[malaise]

17. He may have been marginally offside

The French papers will sure show that if Mexico win here.
That said Mexico have outplayed France so far. Altitude does matter and the Mexicans can handle the altitude here better than most.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

19. a great pass by Blanco, that should have been a score

15 minutes left

[ChairmanAgnostic]

13. GOOOOOOOL MEXICO!

hee, that was beautiful!

[Lochloosa]

16. Ummm....TiVo

Thanks. :shrug:

[ChairmanAgnostic]

18. a really hard fought game, well worth rewatching.

France can be so deadly on the attack.

[MrCoffee]

21. Don't put spoilers in the subject line!

Please, it's really not cool to ruin it for others.

[malaise]

22. That penalty was the death knell for France

This one is over. Congrats Mexico

[HuckleB]

26. Why not just stay off line if you really want to pretend the game isn't over.

And why would you come into the thread, if you didn't want to know more information?

:shrug:

[MrCoffee]

27. When the subject line of the thread contains a spoiler, people can't avoid it

And "just stay offline if you don't want to know" is stupid.

[HuckleB]

28. It's hardly stupid.

There are spoilers everywhere online. It's almost impossible to avoid. I think it's just a way for people who like to complain to get get another chance at their hobby. Besides, the poster made that very clear by coming into the thread itself to whine. Clearly, the poster didn't really care.

[MrCoffee]

29. There is no reason at all for a spoiler in a subject line

Subject lines can't be avoided. Give people the option of clicking on the thread and finding out the juicy details if they want to, but don't put a spoiler in a subject line.

The poster wasn't whining, they were rightly advising the OP that they posted a spoiler where it could not be avoided. That's a no-no.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

20. GOOOOL BLANCO! 2-0 Mexico

a well called penalty inside the box, and France is history.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

23. here is a hint at the "Beautiful game."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QEmnP48PEc&NR=1&feature=fvwp

[HuckleB]

24. Yup.

And it's always all right to go with the current top guy, as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0rK-NDxvNA

[ChairmanAgnostic]

25. sweet! thanks!