While Portugal advanced as group winners to face the second-placed team in Group C - either Argentina or the Netherlands - in a Round of 16 tie in Nuremberg on Sunday, Mexico joined them in the knockout stage after finishing second with four points. El Tri will take on the Group C winners on Saturday in Leipzig.
The Mexicans trailed 2-0 inside 24 minutes in Gelsenkirchen after Maniche shot Portugal into a sixth-minute lead and Simao Sabrosa doubled the advantage from the penalty spot. Jose Fonseca made it 2-1 in the 29th minute but Omar Bravo's missed spot-kick in the second half ensured a defeat for Ricardo La Volpe's team. Mexico also suffered the loss of Luis Perez to a red card, which means he will miss the Round of 16 match through suspension.
2': Mexico made a fast start as Jose Fonseca, picking up possession on the edge of the box, turned inside his man and forced Ricardo into a good low save with a powerful strike.
6': Having already assured qualification, Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari had left on the bench five players on yellow cards – Cristiano Ronaldo, Costinha, Deco, Nuno Valente and Pauleta. Yet their absences were not felt as the Portuguese took an early lead: Simao Sabrosa raced towards goal and squared for the onrushing Maniche to power a shot into the top corner from around the penalty spot. (1-0)
8': Mexico, two points behind Portugal going into the game, were almost level immediately. Pavel Pardo crossed for Bravo whose acrobatic effort fell inches wide of the post.
24': Scolari's side were looking comfortable and were presented with a golden opportunity to extend their lead when captain Rafael Marquez handled Luis Figo's corner. With Oswaldo Sanchez dancing on his line, Simao crashed the penalty home. (2-0)
27': Mexico were stunned and they almost conceded a third soon afterwards. Helder Postiga's effort from the corner of the area was saved by Sanchez before Tiago fired the follow-up over.
29': Bravo almost pulled a goal back for Mexico. Alone at the back post he volleyed low and hard but Ricardo got down well to block the effort with the ball spinning onto the bar and over. From the resulting corner, however, Fonseca did score, flicking a fine header into the unguarded far post to reduce the arrears. (2-1)
Portugal advance to the second round for the first time since 1966 in some style, having claimed maximum points. Mexico - with a win, a draw and a loss - will hope to find some consistency as they head into the knockout stage yet again.
