World Cup holders Italy were stunned 1-2 by upstarts Mexico at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Friday. Marcello Lippi’s controversial selection is sure to come in for criticism after a lacklustre performance from the Italians.
Young Arsenal striker Carlos Vela struck early for the Mexicans to give them a slender 1-0 lead. Italy barely threatened throughout the whole match and never looked like getting back into it. Alberto Medina ensured the victory for the Mexicans with a clinical finish in the final ten minutes. Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci bagged a consolation for the Italians.
In the initial stages Italy took the game to their opponents. Vincenzo Iaquinta headed against the crossbar following an Andrea Pirlo corner to send a warning to the Mexicans.
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Despite the initial opening salvo it was the Mexicans who took the lead on 16 minutes. Giovani Dos Santos sent a fine chipped pass to Carlos Vela who duly despatched it past Buffon to break the deadlock.
Mexico soon started to dominate the proceedings. Fernandez turned Fabio Cannavaro inside out only to be stopped by a crucial tackle from Domenico Criscito.
There were to be no further goals in the opening 45 minutes however and the half ended 1-0 with the Mexicans totally outplaying the Italians.
The second half seemed a continuation of the first. The Italians seemed completely lost on the field. Mexico had the Europeans goal at their mercy only for some bizarrely bad finishing to let the champions off the hook.
Italy desperately tried to change things, and Giampaolo Pazzini and Christian Maggio entered for Gilardino and Zambrotta.
The substitutions had little impact however as Alberto Medina’s finished emphatically after being put through by Cuauhtehmoc Blanco. It was the least the Mexicans deserved after putting Italy to the sword throughout the match.
With two minutes remaining Bonucci scored a scarcely deserved goal and Italy went in search of the equalizer. Mexico held on however and claimed a fine victory.
Italy seem to be a shadow of the side they once were with no small blame attached to their coach Marcello Lippi. Italy were woefully short of ideas and did not seem to have a single creative spark within their team.
Mexico showed why they are not to be underestimated in this year’s World Cup although their poor finishing could cost them against the better teams.
