Playing entertaining football and showing more intent Mexico buried Croatian dreams with a well s deserved 3-1 victory. With this victory Mexico finished second behind Brazil in Group A. Both teams finished on 7 points with Brazil having better goal difference topped the table. Mexico will play Netherland the group B leader in the knock out.  Three goals in lightening second half Mexican blitz won the day for them.

With 3 points in two matches t was a do or die match for Croatia. Mexico with 4 points from two could afford to have a drawn match for going through. Win was the only option for the east Europeans and win they did. Croatia started the world cup campaign playing the first match of world cup 2014 against host Brazil. They looked a good outfit even in 1-3 defeat. In the second match they beat miserable Cameroon whipping and hammering the indomitable African Lions 4-0. Mexico won with some difficulties against Cameroon with barest of margin 1-0 and then went on holding favorite Brazil to a goalless draw .Though it was inconceivable that Cameron would beat strong Brazil but theoretically the possibility was there for any two of the three from Brazil, Croatia and Cameroon could advance before the last of the A group matches kicked off.

Crotia started very positively announcing its intention very loudly from the outset. They ran deep into Mexican business area quite regularly. But the first goal bound strike came from Mexico with a strong Mexican strike from Herrera struck the cross piece of Croatian goal in the 16 Th minute. Mexico absorbed the Croatian early momentum and started taking the game in the wider area. Olic, Modric and Kovacic were trading swift passes deep into Mexican defence desperately endeavoring to unlock Mexican defence. On the other hand strong running of Herrera, Peralta kept Crotain defence busy. Croatia got a free kick from the top of the box on the 40th minute which their captain Darjio Srna  failed to exploit with ball went kissing over the Mexican cross piece. A rapid counter attack by Peralta and Marquez almost brought a Mexican goal. Temper frayed and referee had to interfere on a couple of occasions. First half ended with team locked in goal less. It was touchy, edgy with near affairs for both sides. Mexico had better of the exchanges with Herrera hitting the cross piece and Parelta failing to strike home from a vantage position. Mexico maintained possession well frustrating the Croatians. When Mexicans lost possession several of their players dropped back to regain it. Croatia lacked urgency and allowed Mexico to come back to them. Modric was playing a bit deep making it a bit difficult for Raktic to gain control in the midfield. 

Crotia looked a little more mobile at the start of the second half. But the beauty of the game started blowing away as game got more or more physical. Mexicans were deprived of a genuine penalty which Mexicans hotly debated. As time started starting ticking Mexicans started looking more and more adventurous exposing Croatian defence time again with delicate short passing build ups through the middle and down the flanks. Rafael Marquez put his team ahead in the 72 nd minute 1-0. Mexicnas put their case on solid foundation within to two minutes when; Andres Guardardo; scored (2-0) . Parelta and Herrera combined well splitting the Croatian defence open. Mexicans looked effervescent as they scored their third of a corner kick with a header of Javier Hernandez making it 3-0. Croatians looked flatfooted and flat. The third Mexican goal even raised a possibility of them going to the top of the group as Brazil Cameroon score sheet at that stage was showed 3-1 in favor of Brazil. Soon Brazil made it 4-1 making it beyond doubt that Brazil remained on top. Few minutes later Croatia scored a consolation goal through Ivan Perisic (3-1). The Ante Rebic got red card at the fag end of the match reducing Croats to a ten men team.

Croats lost two matches against Brazill and Mexico by identical margin of 1-3. But the score sheet did not truly reflect the quality in the team and their efforts against Brazil and Cameroon. Croats conceded more goals against Mexico as after conceding the first they had to go all out which the Mexicans exploited through counter attacks. Mexico went into last sixteen for the sixth time in succession. Croats were outplayed, outwitted and possibly out coached. Mexican joy was understandable as they dominated the match althrough. Mexico earned a date with Netherlands in the knock out.

BDST: 0425 HRS, JUNE 24, 2014