FIFA World Cup 2010 match 33 - Group A
Mexico v Uruguay, 22nd June - Rustenburg

Mexico: Perez, Rodriguez, Salcido, Marquez, Osorio, Moreno (Castro 57), Torrado, Guardado (Barrera 45), Franco, Blanco (Hernandez 63), Giovani.

Uruguay: Muslera, Lugano, Fucile, Victorino, M.Pereira, A.Pereira (Scotti 76), Perez, Arevalo Rios, Cavani, Suarez (Fernandez 85), Forlan.

With both sides knowing a draw would guarantee their passage to the knockout stages there was a danger that this game would meander along to an inevtiable stalemate. Both camps declared that this would not happen and there were a couple of reasons for believing this.

Firstly, both sides knew that their healthy goal differences meant they would most likely qualify even if they did lose and, secondly, finishing top of the group would surely see them avoiding Argentina in the next round.

Ultimately the result of the game would give complete proof that there had been no stich up.

The play was lively from the start but it was Uruguay calling the tune. They denied Mexico the time and space to play the short passing football which was so impressive against the French and always looked dangerous themselves with Forlan continuing to impress in his free role behind the two strikers.

The first clear chance came about from poor defending rather than good football, however. Two Mexican defenders were unable to deal with a routine punt down the middle and Luis Saurez was suddenly clean through, just to the right of goal. The striker was unable to hit the target as he shot for the far post, however.

Forlan was also a threat with his dead ball deliveries and Victorino was disappointed to head off target when picked out in space from a right wing corner.

Mexico were struggling to break down an eager Uruguay defence but were desperately unlucky when Guardado tried his luck from thirty yards and saw his thunderbolt crash down from the underside of the bar and bounce to safety with Muslera beaten all ends up.

Two minutes from half time though it was Uruguay taking a merited lead with a lovely, though simple, goal. Forlan made space for himself before releasing Cavani down the right for an instant cross which arrowed onto Saurez's head at the far post and the striker guided home a straightforward header.

Half Time: Mexico 0 Uruguay 1

With South Africa two goals and a man to the good against France in the other group game Mexico would have been wary of falling further behind in this one and came out showing increased urgency to get back into the game.

They still found the resolute Uruguay defence difficult to breach, however, and were grateful to Perez for a fine save to keep them in contention. Forlan whipped in a dangerous set piece which was well met by Lugano with a firm downward header and the Mexico keeper did well to palm the ball away plunging to his right.

There was then an even better chance at the other end as Mexico worked a short corner which ended in a free header for Rodriguez in front of goal but the defender glanced his effort wide.

Mexico continued to press but Uruguay's defensive performance remained impressive and it seemed likely that Mexico would need a piece of luck to drop their way to get back into the game. The ball refused to bounce their way when they did manage to put pressure on the Uruguay rearguard, however, and the game ended up being settled by the lone Suarez goal just before half time.

The worried looks on the faces of the Mexicans at full time suggested that they did not realise they had qualified or perhaps they were simply contemplating facing Argentina in the next round, a game they will be massive underdogs for.

Uruguay, on the other hand, could now wait and see whether it would be South Korea, Nigeria or Greece who they would be facing next. I would imagine they will fancy their chances whichever of those nations they end up facing.

Full Time: Mexico 0 Uruguay 1

Mexico: Perez 5, Rodriguez 4, Salcido 5, Marquez 5, Osorio6, Moreno 4 (Castro 5), Torrado 5, Guardado 6 (Barrera 6), Franco 4, Blanco 3 (Hernandez 5), Giovani 7.

Uruguay: Muslera 6, Lugano 7, Fucile 9, Victorino 8, M.Pereira 7, A.Pereira 5 (Scotti 5), Perez 6, Arevalo Rios 5, Cavani 7, Suarez 6, Forlan 7.

Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary) 6
It seems strange to say this about a World Cup game involving Uruguay but this was a stroll in the park for Mr. Kassai.

Good: The Uruguayan defence which completed a hat trick of clean sheets in this group.

Bad: FIFA's choice of man of the match continues to be incredibly brainless. Once again it was awarded to the goalscorer here. If there have been no goals or a few different scorers then it just goes to the most famous player on view.
Pathetic.

Ugly: Egidio Arevalo Rios. His lonely hearts advert surely includes the abbreviation GSOH (good sense of humour). It should include FLB (fat little bastard).