[Hieronymus]

Every World Cup that I remember, the same thing happens to Mexico.  They have good to really good teams but are smaller than other teams and often lack great finishers.  This year, they did have some players who were good finishers but the size differential was critical when England went one down and parked the bus in front of the goal.  They couldn't get around the bigger players on corner kicks and couldn't get over them in the air on entry passes.  They also seemed to have trouble beating any of the England players off the dribble.  This caused Mexico to have to play a little conservative by sending balls in and hoping they would get a man on the ball or get a good rebound.  England's goalie also played a really great game.  Without great goaltending by England, I think Mexico wins or at least gets to penalty kicks.  The size difference makes more of a difference the farther you go in the tournament because the refs tend to call fewer and fewer fouls as the tournament progresses.  VAR is changing that a little but not for the run of the mill challenge where a bigger player just muscles in for better position.  Such a shame because, for me, the Mexican team was a great story and the most fun combo of fans/hosts/team in the World Cup this year.  Oh well, Canta, no llores!

Cheers,
Pete F.

Per my earlier I think this version of Mexico traded some flair for athleticism. It left them with bad options when up a man. Try to do something really creative to get through, but this team just mostly didn’t have that working as an option. Or cross into the box and rely on improved athleticism. Unfortunately a more athletic Mexico still can’t match England and the end result was predictable - a lot of action without much in the way of real chances.

And yes this Mexico doesn’t have a Chicharito or a Borgetti to conjure something up on goal.

[Hieronymus]

Every World Cup that I remember, the same thing happens to Mexico.  They have good to really good teams but are smaller than other teams and often lack great finishers.  This year, they did have some players who were good finishers but the size differential was critical when England went one down and parked the bus in front of the goal.  They couldn't get around the bigger players on corner kicks and couldn't get over them in the air on entry passes.  They also seemed to have trouble beating any of the England players off the dribble.  This caused Mexico to have to play a little conservative by sending balls in and hoping they would get a man on the ball or get a good rebound.  England's goalie also played a really great game.  Without great goaltending by England, I think Mexico wins or at least gets to penalty kicks.  The size difference makes more of a difference the farther you go in the tournament because the refs tend to call fewer and fewer fouls as the tournament progresses.  VAR is changing that a little but not for the run of the mill challenge where a bigger player just muscles in for better position.  Such a shame because, for me, the Mexican team was a great story and the most fun combo of fans/hosts/team in the World Cup this year.  Oh well, Canta, no llores!

Cheers,
Pete F.

Per my earlier I think this version of Mexico traded some flair for athleticism. It left them with bad options when up a man. Try to do something really creative to get through, but this team just mostly didn’t have that working as an option. Or cross into the box and rely on improved athleticism. Unfortunately a more athletic Mexico still can’t match England and the end result was predictable - a lot of action without much in the way of real chances.

And yes this Mexico doesn’t have a Chicharito or a Borgetti to conjure something up on goal.