Andres Guardado:
That couldnât have been what anybody had in thoughts.
Dealing with a highly-favored Argentina, Martino turned to 2 skilled warriors within the midfield. And, by and enormous, Hector Herrera and Andres Guardado seemed like their outdated selves.Â
That’s, till Guardadoâs sport ended unceremoniously with an obvious harm.Â
He grew to become the sixth participant to characteristic in 5 World Cups, however this evening will likely be forgettable for Guardado, who didnât make it till half-time earlier than his physique failed him. He is a Mexico legend, top-of-the-line this nation has produced however, sadly, he might by no means get to point out it once more on the large stage.
An emotional hug between Herrera and Guardado within the tunnel at half-time was heartbreaking.
Mexico strikers:
Speak about a scarcity of religionâŠ
After all the chatter about who ought to begin, Martino checked out his choices and stated ânone of themâ.
No Raul Jimenez, no Henry Martin, no Rogelio Funes Mori. No want.Â
As a substitute, he set his crew up in a 5-3-2 with wingers Hirving Lozano and Alexis Vega beginning up high. To Martinoâs credit score, it sort of labored, at the very least defensively. However the place do Mexico go from right here? Is Jimenez wholesome sufficient to contribute? Can both Martin or Funes Mori be trusted?
All indicators level to no.Â
Gerado ‘Tata’ Martino:
Previous to the sport, Mexico’s gamers had been introduced one after the other. Every obtained a spherical of applause from a reasonably pro-Mexico crowd, with Guillermo Ochoa’s ear-splitting ovation the loudest of all of them.
Then got here Martino’s identify and, as anticipated, the refrain of boos.
This consequence will do little to quiet that damaging noise, and there might solely be one sport left for followers to get the jeers out.
Martino’s period is nearing an finish, a technique or one other, however this defeat, to his house nation no much less, will solely worsen his legacy, even when Mexico had been up towards it from the beginning.