National Teams

Brazil first, Mexico second

Defeat in Recife:
Croatia's World Cup
exit

23.06.2014.
Defeat in Recife: Croatia's World Cup exit
photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS
  • Match report
  • Match Centre
  • Preview

Croatian national football team failed to qualify for the World Cup second round after losing to Mexico in the third match in Group A.

CROATIA - MEXICO 1:3 (0:0)
World Cup, Group A.
Arena Pernambuco, Recife.

Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)

Goalscorers: 0:1 - Marquez (72'), 0:2 - Guardado (75'), 0:3 - Hernandez (82'), 1:3 - Perišić (87')

Yellow cards: Rakitić (9'), Marquez (39'), Vazquez (66')

Red card: Rebić (89')

Croatia: Pletikosa, Vrsaljko (58' Kovačić), Lovren, Ćorluka, Srna, Pranjić (74' Jelavić), Rakitić, Modrić, Perišić, Olić (69' Rebić), Mandžukić. Head coach: N. Kovač.

Mexico: Ochoa, Rodriguez, Marquez, Moreno, Aguilar, Layun, Vazquez, Herrera, Guardado (84' Fabian), Dos Santos (62' Hernandez), Peralta (79' Pena). Head coach: M. Herrera.

Seeking the win that would secure a place in the next round, Croatia faced Mexico in Recife, but lost at Arena Pernambuco 3:1.

Mexico almost took the lead after 15 minutes, when Herrera hit the crossbar, with Peralta missing an opportunity soon afterwards. In the first half, Croatia was trying from the distance, but Pranjić, Perišić and Srna could not find the target.

In a ten-minute period in the second half, Mexico crushed Croatian hopes. Captain Marquez's header in the 72nd minute and Guardado strike after a quick counterattack three minutes later gave Mexico two-goal lead.

Hernandez made it 3:0 after another successful Mexico corner, only for Perišić to score a consolation goal in the 87th minute, with Rakitić assisting him. Mexico goalkeeper Ochoa stopped another Perišić effort in added time, and Croatia finished the match with ten men. Rebić was sent off in 89th minute.

Brazil beat Cameroon 4:1, won Group A and will play Chile in the last 16. Mexico will face Netherlands.

World Cup, Group A:
1. Brazil 7 (7:2)
2. Mexico 7 (4:1)
3. Croatia 3 (6:6)
4. Cameroon 0 (1:9)

23.06.2014., , Recife. Spectators: 41212
Referees: Ravshan Irmatov (UZB), Abduxamidullo Rasulov (UZB), Bakhadyr Kochkarov (KGZ)
Fourth referee: Alioum (CMR)
Croatia
1
Mexico
3
1Stipe Pletikosa13Guillermo Ochoa
18Ivica Olić
69'		2Francisco Rodriguez
3Danijel Pranjić
74'		4Rafael Marquez
39'
72'
7Ivan Rakitić
9'		6Hector Herrera
10Luka Modrić7MIguel Layun
5Vedran Ćorluka10Giovani Dos Santos
62'
2Šime Vrsaljko
58'		15Hector Moreno
6Dejan Lovren18Andres Guardado
75'
84'
4Ivan Perišić
87'		19Oribe Peralta
79'
17Mario Mandžukić22Paul Aguilar
11Darijo Srna23Jose Vazquez
66'
Bench
12Oliver Zelenika1Jose Corona
23Danijel Subašić12Alfredo Talavera
20Mateo Kovačić
58'		3Carlos Salcido
16Ante Rebić
89'
69'		5Diego Reyes
8Ognjen Vukojević8Marco Fabian
84'
15Milan Badelj9Raul JImenez
22Eduardo Alves Da Silva11Alan Pulido
9Nikica Jelavić
74'		14JAvier Hernandez
82'
62'
21Domagoj Vida16Miguel Ponce
14Marcelo Brozović17Issac Bizuela
19Jorge Sammir Cruz Campos20Javier Aquino
13Gordon Schildenfeld21Carlos Pena
79'
Coaches
Niko KovačMiguel Herrera

In the final match of the World Cup Group A, Niko Kovač's Croatia takes on Mexico national team on Monday.

Croatia - Mexico
World Cup, Group A.
23 June 2014, 17:00 (22:00 Croatian time)
Arena Pernambuco, Recife.

With a defeat against host nation Brazil (1:3) and a victory against Cameroon (4:0), Croatia awaits the clash with Mexico to try and reach the next round of the World Cup.

In the Group A table, Mexico is a point ahead, courtesy of winning against Cameroon (1:0) - the lone goal scored by Peralta - and drawing with Brazil (0:0). Croatia's victory in Recife guarantees a spot in the Last 16.

"We have the hope, the desire, and the will to secure the second round berth. The pressure is more on Mexico, considering their aims. We respect Mexico, but Croatia is getting better and better, scoring the most goals in our group. We have to work as a team, then everything will be alright", said Croatia head coach Niko Kovač before the match.

June edition of FIFA ranking placed Mexico only two places below Croatia (position 20). Niko Kovač has all of his players at his disposal.

"I believe in a historic achievement. From the World Cup play-offs against Iceland it is obvious that the players understand our philosophy, they are very intelligent. I have to right to be positive", said Kovač.

The referee is Ravshan Irmatov of Uzbekistan.

In the other Group A match, Brazil takes on Cameroon. Should the Cameroonians win, Croatia can also draw with Mexico and continue its Brazilian adventure.

"Our motivation is high, we want to achieve more than we did at the EURO 2012. This team has quality to do so. Everything rests upon our shoulders, we need to be at our best and I am convinced that we will play a good match. I believe in a positive outcome", said Croatian international Luka Modrić.