U.S. Beats Mexico on Late Goal
The United States, playing some of its best soccer since the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, deservedly defeated Mexico, 1-0, Wednesday night on an injury-time goal by Eddie Pope in front of 45,048 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
The U.S. dominated the match, outshooting Mexico, 15-5, and earning 12 corner kicks to two for Mexico.
But it was not until three minutes into added time that the long-sought goal finally arrived.
Landon Donovan, the most influential player on the field, was tripped by Mexican defender Omar Briseno on a break down the right flank. Bobby Convey sent the resulting free kick into the box, where Taylor Twellman’s sharp header from close range was twice saved by Mexico goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez, first with his left hand and then with his right foot.
But the ball rolled free to Pope and the defender tucked it into the back of the net to spark wild celebrations among the Americans, who continued their unbeaten run against once-dominant Mexico.
“I think the better team won,” U.S. Coach Bruce Arena said. “I think the U.S had the best chances in the game and deserved to win”
Brazil Coasts
World champion Brazil turned in a first-class performance at Budapest, where it routed host Hungary, 4-1, behind two goals from Luis Fabiano and one each from Kaka and Ronaldinho in front of 44,000 at Ferenc Puskas Stadium.
“Technically, the players were brilliant,” Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said after Brazil’s first victory over Hungary in five tries. “We found holes in the Hungarian defense and we scored fine goals.”
Sandor Torghelle scored for Hungary.
“It was a realistic result,” said Hungary Coach Lothar Matthaeus. “The world champions played excellent soccer. My players respected the stars. Maybe sometimes it turned out to be over-respect.”
Germany Trounced
Germany, the runner-up to Brazil in the 2002 World Cup, suffered its worst road defeat in 65 years when it was trounced, 5-1, by Romania at Bucharest.
The last time Germany lost that badly on a rival’s turf was when it lost, also 5-1, to Hungary at Budapest in 1939.
Starting goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, who yielded four goals in the first half before being replaced, was furious. “There is no excuse for this defeat,” he told German television. “The fact that the lineup today was unusual makes no difference. It is a shame and a bitter setback. I am at a loss for words. We were just slaughtered in the first half.”
Germany Coach Rudi Voeller criticized his players for “amateurish mistakes” and himself for poor team selection and tactics.
“I blame myself for coming here with a depleted squad,” he said. “It hurts. The starting lineup today will certainly not be used again, but still the players on the pitch were all experienced professionals.”
Ionel Danciulescu scored twice for Romania, which also got goals from Mihaita Plesan, Razvan Rat and Gabriel Caramarin. Philipp Lahm scored Germany’s only goal in the 89th minute.
Global Roundup
The largest crowd of the day -- 60,000 -- turned out at Casablanca, where local fans were trying to influence FIFA to award Morocco the 2010 World Cup when the vote is taken on May 15. Argentina beat the hosts, 1-0, however, with Kily Gonzalez scoring the lone goal.
At Coimbra, Portugal, the host nation for this summer’s European Championship was fortunate to scrape to a 2-2 tie with Sweden in a game in which Luis Figo missed a penalty for Portugal and teammate Rui Jorge scored an own goal in the 85th minute that gave the Swedes the lead. A goal two minutes into injury time by Nuno Gomes salvaged the tie, but Coach Luis Felipe Scolari and his players were whistled off the field by angry fans. “I’m a football coach, and I’ve got to be prepared for jeers as well as applause,” Scolari said.
Roberto Baggio, Italy’s hero of World Cup ‘94, was given an emotional farewell by a crowd of 30,300 at Genoa, Italy, where he made what probably will be his final appearance for the Azzurri in a 1-1 tie with Spain. Baggio, 37, called the crowd’s ovation “the most beautiful memory of my career” after leaving the game three minutes from the end. Fernando Torres gave Spain the lead in the 53rd minute, but Christian Vieri answered three minutes later for Italy.
In other matches of note Wednesday, Turkey, the third-place finisher in the 2002 World Cup, defeated Belgium, 3-2, at Brussels, with Gokdeniz Karadeniz scoring the winner in the 90th minute. Anthony Vanden Borre, 16, became Belgium’s second-youngest international of all time when he came in the final minutes.
Goals by Roy Makaay, Boudewijn Zenden, John Heitinga and Pierre Van Hooijdonk earned the Netherlands a 4-0 victory over Greece in front of 27,000 in the Dutch city of Eindhoven. San Marino got the first victory in its 14-year soccer history when it edged Liechtenstein, 1-0, on an Andy Selva goal at Serravalle, San Marino.
Also, South Korea played to a 0-0 tie with Paraguay in front of 26,237 at Inchon, South Korea; Japan upset the Czech Republic, 1-0, at Prague on a first-half goal by Tatsuhiko Kubo, and Denmark shut out Scotland, 1-0, at Copenhagen, where Ebbe Sand scored.
Compiled by Grahame L. Jones
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Under Arena
Although Mexico holds a 28-11-10 advantage in the all-time series, the U.S. has a 6-3-1 record over its CONCACAF rivals under Coach Bruce Arena:
*--* March 13, 1999 L, 2-1 U.S. Cup at San Diego Aug. 1, 1999 L, 1-0 Friendly at Mexico City June 11, 2000 W, 3-0 U.S. Cup at East Rutherford, N.J. Oct. 25, 2000 W, 2-0 Friendly at Los Angeles Feb. 28, 2001 W, 2-0 World Cup qualifier at Columbus, Ohio July 1, 2001 L, 1-0 World Cup qualifier at Mexico City April 3, 2002 W, 1-0 Friendly at Denver June 17, 2002 W, 2-0 World Cup at Jeonju, South Korea May 8, 2003 T, 0-0 Friendly at Houston April 28, 2004 W, 1-0 Friendly at Dallas
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