Despite bad calls, Mexico victorious in World Cup debut
Mexico was on the wrong end of referee Wilmar Roldan of Colombia decisions on Friday in their World Cup debut against Cameroon. Oribe Peralta, however,…
Mexico’s Oribe Peralta celebrates his goal during the second half of the group A World Cup soccer match between Mexico and Cameroon in the Arena das Dunas in Natal, Brazil, Friday, June 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Mexico was on the wrong end of referee Wilmar Roldan of Colombia decisions on Friday in their World Cup debut against Cameroon.
Oribe Peralta, however, was the hero for the “Aztecas” with a 60th minute goal that sealed the victory for el Tri.
Estadio das Dunas in Natal, Brazil was the scene of two–at best–questionable calls by the referee. The Brazilian sky opened up and a torrential downpour proceeded, which may have had a role to play in the bad calls, since visibility on the pitch is bad.
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In the 10th minute of the match Giovani Dos Santos received a wonderful cross from the right side and one-timed his shot past Cameroonian goalkeeper Charles Itandje. The linesman deemed the player to be offside, but images show that the Villarreal striker was onside. Big mistake.
In the 29th minute, Miguel Layun swung in a corner–that was touched by a Cameroon defender–and Gio Dos Santos headed in the ball. Once again it was deemed offside.
Mexico’s Giovani dos Santos, centre, reacts during the group A World Cup soccer match between Mexico and Cameroon in the Arena das Dunas in Natal, Brazil, Friday, June 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
These two bad calls could have really hurt Mexico, as this is the most important match of the World Cup for them thus far. A loss against Cameroon could doom them from moving forward. The Aztecas still have to face host Brazil and Croatia.
Mexico goes for the win in the second half
A wonderful pass by Gio Dos Santos left Oribe Peralta one-on-one with Cameroon’s goalkeeper, but the African was able to make a good save on Peralta’s shot in the 47th minute.
Oribe Peralta cleaned up a scrum in the middle of the Cameroon box in the 60th minute of the match. After a save on a Giovani Dos Santos shot, the Mexican attacker struck the rebound one-time to put Mexico up 1-0.
Miguel Herrera held his breath for a second in the 90th minute. Memo Ochoa made a diving save to keep his goal unbeaten in the only real time he was tested.
Mexico will take on Brazil on June 17.
Twitter’s reaction to the offside calls
As many have pointed out, a player cannot be offside on a corner. And no other #MEX player touched the ball before dos Santos scored.
Jason deVos (@jasondevos) June 13, 2014
For clarification: Rule 11 states “no offside offense if a player receives the ball directly from a corner kick.” #MEX #CMR
natthedem (@natthedem) June 13, 2014
that last goal dos santos was denied was absolutely ridiculous. wasn’t offside in the slightest sarah from ireland (@sstevemcgarrett) June 13, 2014
#FIFAWorldcup, when so much advanced technology available, why is still not used? Sad to see two legal goals called offside. #MEXvsCMR Navaneeth S Pai (@Navaneethspai) June 13, 2014
