Mexico thump Kiwis 5-1 to virtually seal place to Brazil
16 Nov 2013 3:54 AM IST
After scoring just three goals in their last four CONCACAF qualifiers at home, Mexico rediscovered their scoring touch as they outclassed the Oceania champions at the Azteca Stadium.
Defender Paul Aguilar opened the scoring for ‘El Tri’ in the 32nd minute and Raul Jimenez quickly added a second to give Mexico a 2-0 lead at halftime. Striker Oribe Peralta scored twice in the second half and Rafael Marquez added the fifth.
Chris James grabbed a late consolation goal for New Zealand who will host the return leg in Wellington next Wednesday with the winners advancing to next year’s tournament in Brazil.
Ronaldo takes on Ibra in European playoffs, France face Ukraine
LISBON: Two of world football’s biggest names will meet Friday in the playoffs to determine Europe’s final four World Cup qualifiers.
Ever since last month’s draw pitted Portugal against Sweden, the matchup has been billed as a head-to-head between Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. It will take something special to budge them from the spotlight, but Iceland is attempting to do just that.
A Nordic nation better known for fishing and freezing temperatures than football, Iceland would become the least populous nation to play at a World Cup if it can get past Croatia. “This is the most important game in the history of the Icelandic men’s team,” Iceland midfielder Olafur Ingi Skulason said.
In the other two-leg matches, it’s Ukraine against France and Greece vs Romania. The second legs take place on Tuesday, when the 13 qualifiers from Europe will be finalized. Owning two of the biggest egos in football, Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic have dominated the build-up to the most anticipated of the four playoffs.
Both players are in supreme form, with Ronaldo having scored 16 goals in 13 league games for Real Madrid this season and Ibrahimovic netting a string of brilliant goals for Paris Saint-Germain in the French league and Champions League. They both belong on world football’s biggest stage.
Defender Paul Aguilar opened the scoring for ‘El Tri’ in the 32nd minute and Raul Jimenez quickly added a second to give Mexico a 2-0 lead at halftime. Striker Oribe Peralta scored twice in the second half and Rafael Marquez added the fifth.
Chris James grabbed a late consolation goal for New Zealand who will host the return leg in Wellington next Wednesday with the winners advancing to next year’s tournament in Brazil.
Ronaldo takes on Ibra in European playoffs, France face Ukraine
LISBON: Two of world football’s biggest names will meet Friday in the playoffs to determine Europe’s final four World Cup qualifiers.
Ever since last month’s draw pitted Portugal against Sweden, the matchup has been billed as a head-to-head between Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. It will take something special to budge them from the spotlight, but Iceland is attempting to do just that.
A Nordic nation better known for fishing and freezing temperatures than football, Iceland would become the least populous nation to play at a World Cup if it can get past Croatia. “This is the most important game in the history of the Icelandic men’s team,” Iceland midfielder Olafur Ingi Skulason said.
In the other two-leg matches, it’s Ukraine against France and Greece vs Romania. The second legs take place on Tuesday, when the 13 qualifiers from Europe will be finalized. Owning two of the biggest egos in football, Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic have dominated the build-up to the most anticipated of the four playoffs.
Both players are in supreme form, with Ronaldo having scored 16 goals in 13 league games for Real Madrid this season and Ibrahimovic netting a string of brilliant goals for Paris Saint-Germain in the French league and Champions League. They both belong on world football’s biggest stage.
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