Mexico defeated Croatia 3-1 at the Arena Pernambuco on Monday night in the World Cup to finish second in Group A and set up clash with The Netherlands in the Last 16.
A goal late in the second half from captain Rafael Marquez opened the scoring for El Tri and Andres Guardado and Javier Hernandez added further strikes before Ivan Perisic netted a consolation for the Vatreni.
With Croatia growing frustrated, struggling to get the victory needed for qualification, substitute Ante Rebic also saw red for an ugly challenge as their deficiencies caught up with them in a poor showing.
In a first half reminiscent of games at South Africa four years ago chances were difficult to come by and largely speculative efforts from range, while Mario Mandzukic, fresh from two goals against Cameroon, was Croatia’s most effective player he constantly dropped deep to allow those around him to surge forward.
With barely 15 minutes gone he played in Perisic down the right who managed to cross to Olic only for the Mexican defence to clear, before another Mandzukic-Perisic combination witnessed the latter drive over from the edge of the box.
As shown against Brazil, the Mexicans decided their best chances would come from range also as Hector Herrera’s stunning left-footed drive almost paid off only for the Wolfsburg man to watch hit canon off the crossbar.
The second half started more like the first as neither team chased the game despite Croatia needing the victory to qualify, Mateo Kovacic was brought on as Niko Kovac altered his system, but when Mexico replied by bringing on Javier Hernandez the game became stretched and the final 20 minutes were the most memorable of the match.
It was a set piece that eventually ended Croatia’s hopes as a superb delivery from midfielder Hererra found the head of the towering Marquez to power past a helpless Stipe Pletikosa.
As Croatia continued to chase they struggled to create from midfield while leaving themselves exposed as the fresh Hernandez ran at their defence and slid the ball to Oribe Peralta who turned provider for once with a low cross that Guardado fired home to double the Mexican lead.
Ante Rebic then tried his hardest to reply as he skipped through the Mexican defence only to be denied on the goal line by some superb last-ditch defending, and four minutes later the tie was over, Hernandez finding himself completely free at the back post to head home from another corner.
Perisic replied for Croatia just before a late red card for Rebic but both attempts at retribution were in vein as Croatia got it all wrong on a night where they played right into Mexico’s hands.
The team from the Azteca will now play the Oranje in the Second Round, which the reach for a sixth successive time at a World Cup finals, as despite finish level on points with hosts Brazil had a worse goal difference.
