World Cup Player Ratings: France 0-2 Mexico
El Tri’s effervescence was not at all contained by les Bleus...
By Robin Bairner
Jun 17, 2010 10:00:00 PM
World Cup,France Vs Mexico,Franck Ribery (Getty Images)
Teams
- France
- Mexico
FRANCE
Lloris – 6 – Quickly off his line to clear a couple of woefully short back-passes, and left brutally exposed for the first goal. Got close to the penalty, but wasn’t given a chance by his defence.
Sagna – 5 - Was given plenty of awkward moments by club-mate Carlos Vela before he was forced to go off. The French right-back was caught napping in a positional sense regularly, allowing the Mexicans to attack too readily down his channel, most notably in the first half. Offered little going forward.
Abidal – 4.5 - Woeful performance from the Barcelona left-back, who of course plays in the centre of the rearguard for France. A short back-pass nearly presented Mexico with an easy goal in the first half, but ultimately would be punished when he failed to spring the offside trap in the second. His tackle for the Mexican penalty was simply inane. An experienced player should do a lot better.
Gallas – 5 - Another worryingly weak performance from Gallas, who was left wanting for speed throughout the match as Mexico looked to get in behind the French at every opportunity. A poor back-pass had to be well dealt with by Lloris.
Evra – 5.5 - The captain was seen shedding tears during the national anthems, and was the most positive of the France rearguard – but that’s not saying a great deal. Made one early surge down the left flank, and would repeat that over the course of the first half. When El Tri attacked effectively, it was rarely down his flank, though Barrera’s penalty winning run started with him being blitzed for pace.
Toulalan – 6 - Recovered an awful lot of loose balls and rarely gave possession away cheaply, though he failed to impose himself nearly enough on the second half – not like him at all. His booking for a clever foul as Mexico were breaking will keep him out of the final group match.
Diaby – 5.5 - A big plus in the Uruguay game, Diaby seemed to lose some of his impetus by being deployed in a deeper role. Only occasionally given the chance to stretch his legs in an attacking capacity and dropped wholly out of the game in the second period, effectively becoming a ghost.
Govou – 5 - Partly to blame for Mexico’s dominance of the France right as he was caught up-field regularly, allowing the North Americans to flood down his wing. Never really posed an attacking threat and was again a big disappointment before being replaced by Valbuena.
Ribery – 5 - Billed as the star of this France side, who he has carried for so long. The burden of a difficult season personally and professionally seems to be telling on the Bayern Munich star, who made very little impression in his new role behind the striker.
Malouda – 6 - When given possession in the first half, ‘Flo’ sporadically looked a threat running with the ball, but he had little genuine product aside from a couple of dangerous centres. In the second half the Chelsea star offered little aside from a shot over the top.
Anelka – 5 - Raymond Domenech persists in playing the Chelsea forward through the middle, where he simply doesn’t look comfortably. Drops too deep, leaving nothing for the attacking midfielders to hit in the box. Hasn’t scored a goal in a major tournament and doesn’t look likely to at this rate. Hauled off at half-time.
Substitutes
Gignac – 5 - Brought on at half-time to replace Anelka and had a similar impact i.e. very little.
Valbuena – 5 - Looked bright in the pre-tournament friendlies but wasn’t in the game here.
Lloris – 6 – Quickly off his line to clear a couple of woefully short back-passes, and left brutally exposed for the first goal. Got close to the penalty, but wasn’t given a chance by his defence.
Sagna – 5 - Was given plenty of awkward moments by club-mate Carlos Vela before he was forced to go off. The French right-back was caught napping in a positional sense regularly, allowing the Mexicans to attack too readily down his channel, most notably in the first half. Offered little going forward.
Abidal – 4.5 - Woeful performance from the Barcelona left-back, who of course plays in the centre of the rearguard for France. A short back-pass nearly presented Mexico with an easy goal in the first half, but ultimately would be punished when he failed to spring the offside trap in the second. His tackle for the Mexican penalty was simply inane. An experienced player should do a lot better.
Gallas – 5 - Another worryingly weak performance from Gallas, who was left wanting for speed throughout the match as Mexico looked to get in behind the French at every opportunity. A poor back-pass had to be well dealt with by Lloris.
Evra – 5.5 - The captain was seen shedding tears during the national anthems, and was the most positive of the France rearguard – but that’s not saying a great deal. Made one early surge down the left flank, and would repeat that over the course of the first half. When El Tri attacked effectively, it was rarely down his flank, though Barrera’s penalty winning run started with him being blitzed for pace.
Toulalan – 6 - Recovered an awful lot of loose balls and rarely gave possession away cheaply, though he failed to impose himself nearly enough on the second half – not like him at all. His booking for a clever foul as Mexico were breaking will keep him out of the final group match.
Diaby – 5.5 - A big plus in the Uruguay game, Diaby seemed to lose some of his impetus by being deployed in a deeper role. Only occasionally given the chance to stretch his legs in an attacking capacity and dropped wholly out of the game in the second period, effectively becoming a ghost.
Govou – 5 - Partly to blame for Mexico’s dominance of the France right as he was caught up-field regularly, allowing the North Americans to flood down his wing. Never really posed an attacking threat and was again a big disappointment before being replaced by Valbuena.
Ribery – 5 - Billed as the star of this France side, who he has carried for so long. The burden of a difficult season personally and professionally seems to be telling on the Bayern Munich star, who made very little impression in his new role behind the striker.
Malouda – 6 - When given possession in the first half, ‘Flo’ sporadically looked a threat running with the ball, but he had little genuine product aside from a couple of dangerous centres. In the second half the Chelsea star offered little aside from a shot over the top.
Anelka – 5 - Raymond Domenech persists in playing the Chelsea forward through the middle, where he simply doesn’t look comfortably. Drops too deep, leaving nothing for the attacking midfielders to hit in the box. Hasn’t scored a goal in a major tournament and doesn’t look likely to at this rate. Hauled off at half-time.
Substitutes
Gignac – 5 - Brought on at half-time to replace Anelka and had a similar impact i.e. very little.
Valbuena – 5 - Looked bright in the pre-tournament friendlies but wasn’t in the game here.
Perez – 6.5 - A diminutive figure in el Tri’s net, he wasn’t severely tested by the French. Tipped one Malouda drive over the top and turned a Ribery shot wide, but it was a very comfortable evening.
Osorio – 7.5 - Disciplined and solid at right-back, there never seemed to be any danger of the French penetrating his flank, despite the great talent on show in their side.
Moreno – 7.5 - Revelled in France’s impotence, easily keeping les Bleus well away from the goal. Never really called into any last ditch heroics, but that was because his positioning was excellent. Booked in the second half.
Rodriguez – 7.5 - Made several solid challenges that resulted in fouls, but only committed himself in such a manner in non-threatening areas. Defended intelligently, ultimately cruising through the game.
Salcido – 8 - Outstanding performance from the left-back, who charged forward regularly and effectively to support his forwards. Showed no little skill when he got into the final third of the park, though his forays decreased in frequency after the break. Never threatened by Govou.
Juarez – 6.5 - Had a petty push out at Malouda early in the second half that could have been more serious. Didn’t offer a massive amount from an attacking perspective and would be replaced early in the second half.
Marquez – 8 - Handed the captain’s armband for the game, the Barcelona man was caught in possession a couple of times in the early stages of the game but quickly found his rhythm, unflinching in a defensive midfield role. His pass to release Hernandez was brilliant and showed another side to his game.
Torrado – 7 - The snapping midfielder rarely gave his counterparts in blue any chance to rest in possession, always quickly into the tackle but rarely over-committing himself. Helped to dominate the centre of midfield after the break.
Dos Santos – 7.5 - Enjoying his World Cup so far as he turned in another sprightly performance. Supported Franco very well, getting forward quickly and effectively, going by the attacking spearhead to really trouble the French defence with his pace.
Franco – 7.5 - Dropped deep superbly at times to offer an outlet for the defence and midfield, and held the ball up superbly. Showed neat footwork at times to deceive Abidal. Had a first half shot go just over.
Vela – 7 – Heartbreak for the Arsenal forward, who gave club-mates Sagna and Gallas a real roasting in the early stages of the game before being forced off due to injury troubles. Looked lively, though he smacked a great chance over the bar.
Substitutes
Barrera – 7 - Came on as a first half replacement for Vela and was a worthy successor to the Arsenal man out wide. His pace on his run to win the penalty was quite simply searing.
Hernandez – 8 - Offered effervescence and pace for the last 35 minutes and took his goal superbly. Manchester United would appear to have themselves a real gem.
Blanco – 7.5 - May be ageing, but he can still pick a pass. Not only was his distribution intelligent, his penalty was tucked right in the corner, beating Lloris despite the goalkeeper going the right way.
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