From the ugly furor about its fans using the commonplace offensive term during one of Mexico's earlier matches, the national team managed to emerge from the racism scandal when FIFA earlier cleared the Mexican Football Association of the charges. Team Mexico then vindicated itself by displaying its skills as a formidable World Cup team to beat when it lorded over the Croatians in a score of 3-1, Buzzfeed reported.
The two teams, who are neck to neck in tournament standing leading to the match by a draw, added more pressure for both of their earnest to be on the top 16 to beat for this year's World Cup championship. Croatia is also feeling the pressure of trying to break through the goal wall that is Guillermo Ochoa, who had led the team in its 0-0 draw against the mighty Brazil and have yet to allow a goal in his net in the tournament.
Based on a Vine video by a spectator, the color inside the stadium in Recife was mostly dominated by Mexico's colors, the fans in full support of their national team.
In the first half, Ochoa proved himself to be the biggest obstacle for Croatia in scoring a goal, with the latter spending most of the first half fending off goal attempts, Buzzfeed said.
Fans were observed still chanting the slang for "man-whore," of which FIFA had already determined not offensive in the context wherein they are attempting to jinx Mexico rival's goalkeeper in doing a goal kick.
There were a few missed and contested referee calls from both sides, but all was silenced in the later part of the match with Mexican team captain Rafa Marquez scoring a header, breaking the tie. His teammates were obviously inspired when Andres Guardado and made the crucial second goal, guaranteeing Mexico an automatic spot in the knockout rounds. Chicharito Hernandez has send even Mexican fans wild when he scored another goal for his team, which puts them at 3-0.
Ochoa, on the other hand, might have been giddy with their victory when Croatia scored a goal, the first one the curly-haired goalkeeper allowed in the tournament, Buzzfeed said. Nonetheless, he showed his mad goal-saving skills later in the game, preserving the 3-1 lead sometime in the 90th minute.
Buzzfeed said Mexico is set to take on the Netherlands next, while Group A winner Brazil also advances and will be playing against Chile.
