FIFA World Cup: Mexico Overcome Croatia to Enter Last 16
Mexico scored three goals and conceded one while Croatia got Ante Rebic sent off in the last 18 minutes of the tie. Mexico will face Netherlands in the last 16.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: June 24, 2014 04:17 AM IST
Mexico punched their ticket to the last 16 of the World Cup on Monday following a 3-1 win over Group A rivals Croatia in Recife that sent the Europeans out of the competition.
Mexico captain Rafael Marquez, appearing at his fourth finals, eventually broke the deadlock after 72 minutes at the Arena Pernambuco before Andres Guardado and Javier Hernandez added further goals to cement a place in the knockout phase.
Croatia pulled one back through Ivan Perisic three minutes from time while substitute Ante Rebic was sent off in the dying stages for a wild lunge on Carlos Pena.
Mexico finished second in Group A with seven points, behind hosts Brazil on goal difference, and will face the Netherlands, winners of Group A, for a place in the quarter-finals.