The Mexican National Team has advanced for a sixth consecutive World Cup to the Round of 16 after finishing the group stage in 2nd place. The imposing 3-1 win in the final group match against Croatia sealed their ticket to the knockout stage of the competition where they will face Netherlands.

The Mexican team started off the match in Recife with ball possession and short passes in the back field. But after five minute it was the Europeans who took the ball away and started pressuring for the opening goal. Two quick corner kicks produced some concern for "El Tri".

Mexico was able to shake off the pressure in the 15th minute when Hector Herrera finished off a great team play between himself, Oribe Peralta and Giovani Dos Santos. The Porto FC midfielder hit an 18 yard bomb that slammed off of the crossbar. Momentum then shifted to the Mexican side who begun to create more and more danger.

The Croats were able to regain control of the ball, but did not generate any real danger while the Mexicans looked to break away into quick and fast counter attacks as often as they could. Ironically, it was a Croatia counterattack that produced the most dangerous play after a Mexico corner kick.

The center referee missed a clear handball near the Croatia box. The Europeans broke out quickly and it had to be captain Rafael Marquez the one to cut down the danger with a harsh sliding tackle. Marquez should have seen the red card for that foul, but was only shown a cautionary card.

The tight and even contest went to the break with the scoreboard in zeros; which left Mexico in the Round of 16 and Croatia eliminated.

The second half started with the Red and Whites pressuring once again the Mexico penalty box for the goal that would put them through, Mexico then only looked to survive the initial onrush. Two corner kicks caused nervous moments for the Mexican fans, but the defense responded well to what is usually their weakness.

It was only 10 straight minutes of Croatia pressure before Mexico took back control of the game to themselves. Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez came into the game for Giovani Dos Santos. Soon after his entrance, Paul Aguilar came up with a double cut back in the right wing, sent in a cross to 'Chicharito' who looked to be pushed in the back. The ball slipped to Andres Guardado who blasted a left footed shot that was blocked by the hands of defender Darijo Srna, referee did not acknowledge the penalty call.

Just like in the first game against Cameroon where Mexico got held back by bad refereeing decisions; 'El Tri' kept going forward and found their reward in the 72nd minute, when captain Rafael Marquez jumped over everyone after a Hector Herrera corner to head home the opening goal.

Three minutes later Javier Hernandez and Oribe Peralta combined well at the top, Peralta sent in a backward cross to where Andres Guardado came running in to rifle the ball and bury it into the back of the net.

In the 81st minute Javier Hernandez broke his drought after Rafael Marquez flicked the ball in a corner kick. Hernandez was there to tap the ball in with his head to make the score 3-0.

Ivan Perisic got the consolation for Croatia in the 86th minute after a genius pass from Rakitic to make the score 3-1, but it was too little too late for the favored Europeans. The glory did not last long for Croatia as Rebic was shown a straight red card in the 89th minute for a studs up tackle on Carlos Peña.

Next up for Mexico will be a Round of 16 match against the powerful Clockwork Orange of Netherlands. "El Tri will not count with the services of central midfielder Jose Juan Vazquez who will miss the next match due to yellow card accumulation.

Source: Jonny Rico / Soccerly.com

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