Hernandez creates more shockwaves
JAVIER HERNANDEZ created another Mexican shockwave with his 50th international goal as El Tri ensured their famous victory against Germany wasn’t a oneoff.
It had been reported that celebrations in Mexico City were so intense after last week’s victory against the world champions, they triggered seismic tremors.
And when Hernandez scored Mexico’s second goal midway through the second half of this Group F clash, the Rostov Arena was transformed into a deafening version of the Azteca Stadium by thousands of his people.
With his team leading via a penalty from Carlos Vela, Hernandez underlined why he is still a world-class fox-inthe-box by cutting inside Jang Hyun-soo from Hirving Lozano’s pass before tucking away the chance with his second touch of the ball.
The West Ham striker is his country’s record goalscorer and previously netted in the World Cup tournaments of 2010 and 2014.
But this was arguably the most important as it killed off a potential challenge from the Koreans, who had to wait until injury-time for their consolation from Son Heung-min.
‘We devoted more time to planning this match against South Korea than we did against Germany,’ said Mexico coach Juan Osorio.
‘Sometimes when you play countries with less of a football history, human beings can rest on their laurels a bit. So every day we gave out that important message of being focused.’