FRANCE 98 – Match Summary n°26

Belgium threw away a two-goal lead and the near certainty of a place in the World Cup second round here on Saturday when they drew 2-2 with Mexico. Fuming coach Georges Leekens had no praise for his squad who battled through unbearable heat in the Parc Lescure cauldron.

” We sat back when we went two goals up and paid the penalty, “ he stormed. ” I would have thought with our experience we would have known how to defend a two-goal lead. “

The Belgians drew their opening match 0-0 with Holland seven days ago and a win here would have put them in a strong position for a second round place. ” Now we’ve got to pick ourselves up and think about the next match against South Korea. We have to win, “ said Leekens.

With the Belgians 2-0 up and Mexico down to 10 men after the expulsion of Pavel Pardo in the 29th minute, the turning point of the match came 10 minutes into the second half when Ramon Ramirez was cut down from behind by Gert Verheyen.

Not only did Mexico get the penalty, converted by Alberto Garcia Aspe, but more importantly Scottish referee Hugh Dallas gave Verheyen his marching orders.Cuauhtemoc Blanco volleyed the equaliser in the 62nd minute as Belgium faded.

Belgium’s Enzo Scifo, a veteran of four World Cups, said the penalty transformed the match, ” We were practically coasting, Mexico were down and out, but once they’d scored from that penalty they were all over us, “ he said. ” We could have been 3-0 up but we gave away a penalty, lost a man and suddenly we were in trouble, “ he added. ” But you have to hand it to Mexico after fighting back with a man down. “

Garcia Aspe said Mexico could have won but for the heat. ” Once we had equalized it was just too hot for that last effort, “ he said, adding that the team did well to level the scores after the expulsion of Pardo when he brought down Vital Borkelmans from behind.

Blanco said: ” We managed a great draw after coming from behind, thanks to our enthusiasm, our heart, and the help of God. We never thought we would lose. The idea never even entered our head. “

Belgium took the lead only two minutes from the end of the first half from a Luis Oliveira corner. Marc Wilmots found himself with space on the far post and rammed the ball in off his left thigh through the legs of Mexican keeper Jorge Campos.

Three minutes after the restart it was Wilmots again, this time shaking off the defence with his considerable bulk and firing home. Within seven minutes Mexico had hit back from the penalty spot and Belgium were suddenly down to 10 men and in deep trouble. Their defence began to creak as the quick-running Mexicans began to buzz.

Their determination finally paid off when Garcia Aspe saw a gaping hole in the Belgian defence. His long ball set Ramirez free on the left who wasted no time to cross to the far post. Blanco rushed in completely unmarked to volley home with the outside of his left boot.

Said Mexican coach Manuel Lapuente: ” It was a very difficult match. We started well but the sending-off forced us to change our whole tactical plan. Nothing has been decided for the second round and we have everything to play for. “