Mexico: Sanchez, Marquez, Osorio, Salcido, Mendez (Franco 80), Rodriguez (Zinha 46), Pardo, Pineda (Castro 69), Bravo, Perez, Fonseca

Portugal: Ricardo, Caneira, Meira, Miguel (Ferreira 61), Carvalho, Tiago, Maniche, Petit, Figo (Boa Morte 80), Simao, Postiga (Gomes 69)

Match Report: This match looked on paper to be a one worth watching. With Mexico not yet assured of progression into the next phase, but the Portuguese already qualified, an open game looked on the cards. That is exactly what we got, plus a couple of penalties and a sending off thrown in for good measure. The referee also had a one of those days that did little to help a game that was shaping up to be a classic.

The game started at a frantic pace, with the Mexicans obviously seeking an early opening. Fonseca looked lively from the off and soon worked Portuguese keeper Ricardo, after a turning shot brought the games first effort on goal.

Mexico were committing men into the attack and Portugal wasted little time in exploiting the space left behind. A quick counter, a fine dribble from Simao and perfectly weighted low cross was snaffled by Maniche to make it 1-0. Maniche's finish was excellent with the inside of his right foot, high to the keepers left. A cracking start to the game.

Mexico were straight back on the offensive. A neat move from a throw in almost got them back on terms within a minute, when Bravo got in front of his man to volley just wide with the keeper beaten. Bravo's movement and general play was excellent all day, but his finishing would let him down on several occasions.

Several Mexican attacks followed, but Portugal, although edgy, were not under seige.

Maniche, on another counter, went down very easily to get a free kick in a dangerous area. The dead ball kick won them a corner which looked only slightly worrying for Mexico until Marquez inexplicably punched the ball away from Figo's centre. A penalty for Portugal, no question. On another day, with another referee Marquez could have expected to be sent off. As it was, he didn't receive a card of any colour.

Simao accepted the responsibility for the spot kick, and duly slotted home to the keepers right. He was not put off by Sanchez doing a jitterbug on the goal line to try and distract him.

Mexico came forward, undeterred. Bravo again went close with a thumping volley from Marquez's flick on. Ricardo got just enough in the way to divert the ball agonisingly over onto the top of the net.

What happened next was quite disturbing. Carvalho ended up in a heap in the net with Ricardo, after the two of them had collided during Ricardo's save. Carvalho undoubtably delighted to see the goal still intact proceeded to give his keeper a big sloppy kiss. Not just a peck on the cheek, a big sloppy snog. Eeeewwww! There could possibly have been tongues involved.

That Mexico scored off the corner is possibly testimony to someone of a higher plain taking umbrage at such a display.

Fonseca's near post run and guided header was a classic strikers goal, and no more than Mexico deserved for their commitment to attack. The game was back on.

More Mexico pressure came before the interval, and Fonseca again worked a position to get a free header, but this time failed to test Ricardo. Pardo again tested Ricardo, with a strike from huge distance that the keeper could only parry out. Fortunately for Portugal it went safe.

An end to a great 45 minutes.

Half Time: Portugal 2 Mexico 1

Mexico again started the brighter, and committed themselves forward, hoping to get the equaliser they needed. Portugal were now fighting a rearguard and getting men behind the ball to keep Mexico at bay.

From one such melee came mexico's chance to level. Postiga tried to turn Miguel in the box and the lunging Portuguese defender caught the ball with his hand. Perhaps a little unlucky for Portugal, but again no more than Mexico deserved.

Bravo stepped up to try and level the scores, but as so often on the afternoon his shooting boots let him down. He struck the penalty well, but it went high, wide, and not so handsome. Mexico were deflated, but not deterred.

The real blow to Mexico came from the referee a couple of minutes later. Perez went down in the Portuguese area under obvious pressure from Miguel. The referee deemed Perez to have dived and boked him. This seemed incredibly harsh. Perez may have had a penalty, but now had to leave the field as he'd already taken a yellow in the first half.

This diminished Mexico's threat, but not their appetite, and still they came forward. Again Bravo had a great chance to level when through with only the keeper to beat. Again he booted it over.

With Mexico now desperate and stretched Portugal began to find space on the counter and may well have added to their own score. Gomes had good chances, and Simao was always looking to run at defenders, but the final minutes petered out into tiredness for the Mexicans and lack of ambition from Portugal.

A good game that was prevented from being great by Mexico's one man deficit.

Full Time: Portugal 2 Mexico 1

Mexico: Sanchez 6, Marquez 7, Osorio 6, Salcido 6, Mendez 5 (Franco 5), Rodriguez 6 (Zinha 6), Pardo 5, Pineda 6 (Castro 6), Bravo 7, Perez 7, Fonseca 7

Portugal: Ricardo 7, Caneira 5, Meira 5, Miguel 7(Ferreira 6), Carvalho 6, Tiago 7, Maniche 7, Petit 6, Figo 6 (Boa Morte 6), Simao 8, Postiga 4 (Gomes 5)

Referee: L.Michel (Slovakia) 1. A terrible performance. 9 yellows and 1 rediculous red. Just let them play for god's sake.

Good: Mexico's National anthem was sung by a huge Mexican contingent. Belted out and lasted for about 6 minutes, quality.

Bad: Only the Ref was poor in this game.

Ugly: Carvalho & Ricardo's snog. Get a room boys.