All Whites push Mexico

New Zealand's Chris Wood looks to evade Mexico's Jesus Corona. Photo: Getty Images
New Zealand's Chris Wood looks to evade Mexico's Jesus Corona. Photo: Getty Images
For almost 20 minutes the All Whites dared to dream in the Confederations Cup on Thursday morning.

They led Mexico - with all their football pedigree and resources - 1-0 through a superb Chris Wood goal, and could have been further ahead, as Wood had two gilt edged chances either side of the halftime break.

It was stirring stuff in Sochi, as the legion of Mexican fans in the stadium were rubbing their eyes, not quite able to believe what they were seeing.

Normal football order was restored eventually, as El Tri prevailed 2-1, through two brilliant second half strikes.

The All Whites may wonder what might have been - as Ryan Thomas hit the post in the 85th minute, among several other chances - and this result means they exit the tournament.

But their pride has been restored - after a below par display against Russia - and they have something to build on for the rest of 2017.

Anthony Hudson tweaked his team, and they looked more balanced from the start. The vision and passing ability of Clayton Lewis in midfield helped and Marco Rojas looked more comfortable further up the park.

And perhaps most importantly, there was much less of the direct approach, that had been over used against Russia. Sure it was a different occasion, and the Mexican team give you more space, but a team can earn that space and time if they show they can play.

And play they did, with some brilliant passing movements. Lewis and Thomas were picking up the runs of Dane Ingham and Deklan Wynne, and Rojas was creating problems with his clever touches. The Mexican defence looked out of sorts, as the All Whites began to create chances.

A Michael Boxall flick just evaded Tommy Smith at a corner, then the Ipswich defender forced a good save from Alfredo Talavera from another set piece.

Mexico were looking wobbly - and their fans, who had started Mexican waves 10 minutes into the match in the carnival atmosphere, suddenly fell silent.

The All Whites were first to everything, with Smith particularly strong in the air. The midfield was linking well and New Zealand was dominating the flow of the game. Wood should have scored in the 28th minute, as he received the ball free inside the area. But the All Whites captain hit his shot too close to the Mexican goalkeeper, and seemed to be in two minds as defender Carlos Salcedo was hunched over on the ground beside him.

It was a controversial incident - and the Mexican bench had to be restrained as they exchanged words with the New Zealand assistant coaches - with Salcedo stretchered off the field with a dislocated shoulder.

The All Whites had another chance soon afterwards, before opening the scoring in spectacular fashion. Thomas and Rojas combined well in buildup play, before a wild Mexican pass sent the ball across the face of goal to an unmarked Lewis. The Auckland City midfielder summed up the situation perfectly, finding Wood with a ball that bisected the two Mexican central defenders. Wood's finish was unerring, and New Zealand had their first goal at a Confederations Cup since 2009.

Mexico were stunned, but there was almost more shocks. A Rojas chip found Wood inside the area but his first touch took him away from goal, while just after halftime the Leeds striker was one on one with the keeper, but foiled by Talavera as he tried to round him. It was the key moment of the match; Mexico equalized minutes later - a 20 metre bullet from Raul Jimenez - and the pressure valve was released.

Mexico settled after that, no longer contemplating exiting the tournament at the hands of a team from the bottom of the South Pacific. They piled on the pressure, and a second goal eventually came in the 72nd minute. It was a superb finish from Oribe Peralta, though both Andrew Durante and Michael Boxall were caught ball watching.

The All Whites fought to the last - with Thomas blasting the ball against the post late on - but to no avail. The match almost descended into farce late on, as a crude Mexican foul sparked an near all-in brawl on the field and between the benches.

Mexico 2 ( R Jimenez, O Peralta )
New Zealand 1 (C Wood )

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