Women's World Cup: England lose three points against Mexico

Mexico and England faced each other in the second match of the day in Group B. England was denied a win because of a goalkeeping blunder as the match ended 1-1.

The English team was in full control of the proceedings at the Arena im Allerpark, Wolfsburg in the early stages of the match. But it was the Mexicans, who almost took advantage of some disorganization in the English backline in the 3rd minute of the game.

Mexico’s superstar Maribel Dominguez received a good ball into the box and the striker had the opportunity to attempt a shot on target. But the English girls were quick to correct their mistake and cleared the situation with a well-timed tackle.

Hope Powell’s team had to wait till the 13th minute before they created a first challenge on the Mexican goal. But Everton midfielder Jill Scott’s attempt to hit the target through a long-range shot went over the crossbar.

The English fans didn’t have to wait too long to cheer for their team, as “The Three Lions” opened their account in the 21st minute. A corner from the right side was easily headed in by Fara Williams. Her opponent Nayeli Rangel had no chance to deny Williams to score the opening goal of the match.

Williams almost added a second goal to her tally in the 29th minute, but her long range shot was snatched down by keeper Cecilia Santiago.

The match took a sudden U-turn just a few moments later, when a dazzling strike from Monica Ocampo left England keeper Karen Bardsley scrambling in her goal in the 33rd minute. The Atlanta Blue forward curled her shot into the top corner of England’s net, while Bardsley looked surprised that the ball found its way to the goal.

The Mexicans profited from the goalkeeping blunder and they were able keep the English team away from their box in the remaining minutes of the first half.

The second half could have started on a negative note for England in the lead in the 49th minute, when Scott handled the ball at the edge of the penalty box to give away a free kick to the Mexicans. But Dominguez’s free kick missed the goal by a whisker.

England almost regained the lead through Eniola Aluko in the 54th minute. But the England striker took a miss-timed swipe at the ball as it trickled through her legs in the box.

Powell’s team increased the pace and Aluko was once again in the centre of attention in the 59th minute. But Aluko once again failed to utilize from a good delivery by Kelly Smith, as her shot was easily saved by the Mexican keeper.

England looked the better side in the remaining minutes, but they failed to create any proper scoring opportunities as the Mexicans played a disciplined game in their defence.

A Kelly Smith free kick missed the target in the 88th minute, while Mexico was awarded a free kick on the other side just one minute later. But Ocampo’s free kick went over the crossbar.

The Mexicans increased the pace in the dying minutes of the match and England was quite lucky not to concede a late goal in a match they actually dominated.

Detailed match stats are available athttps://www.sportskeeda.com/wordpress/2011/06/27/fifa-womens-world-cup-2011-mexico-vs-england/