Football World Cup 1978 / Mexico
This article covers the Mexican national soccer team at the 1978 World Cup .
qualification
North American Zone
| rank | country | Gates | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Mexico |
3: 1 | 4th |
| 2 |  Canada |
2: 3 | 4th |
| 3 |
 United States
|
3: 4 | 4th |
| United States | - | Mexico | 0-0 |
| Canada | - | Mexico | 1-0 |
| Mexico | - | United States | 3-0 |
| Mexico | - | Canada | 0-0 |
Final round
| rank | country | Gates | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mexico |
20: 5 | 10 |
| 2 |
.svg){kind=small} Haiti
|
6: 6 | 7th |
| 3 |
 El Salvador
|
8: 9 | 5 |
| 4th |
Canada
|
7: 8 | 5 |
| 5 |
 Guatemala
|
8:10 | 3 |
| 6th |
 Suriname
|
6:17 | 0 |
| Mexico | - | Haiti | 4: 1 |
| Mexico | - | El Salvador | 3: 1 |
| Mexico | - | Surinam | 8: 1 |
| Mexico | - | Guatemala | 2: 1 |
| Mexico | - | Canada | 3: 1 |
Mexican contingent
Mexican team games
After Mexico was only cannon fodder at the first World Cup participations, they grew into a serious opponent in the 1960s and reached the intermediate round for the first time at the 1970 World Cup, which was held in their own country . But this up to then greatest success of the national team also marked a return to times long believed to have been overcome. Worse still: if Mexico had at least dominated the CONCACAF rivals by then , you could not even qualify for the World Cup finals in 1974 - for the first time since 1934 . In 1982 "el Tri" failed again in the qualification and after qualifying for the 1978 World Cup, which was held in the meantime, after considerable start-up difficulties (4-4 points in the North America group with the USA and Canada), they finally succeeded in the CONCACAF final round with 10 -0 points and 20: 5 goals, you failed all the more miserably in the World Cup preliminary group. It was the most desolate World Cup appearance of the Mexicans at all due to the balance of 2:12 goals and 0-6 points.
The Mexicans had calculated that they had a very good chance of surviving the preliminary round. After all, it was assumed that at least the World Cup newcomer Tunisia could be left behind. And maybe there was more in it? At least national coach Roca was optimistic before the start of the tournament: “We will achieve more than you think we are.” But what the team then delivered was far less than expected at home. The press literally tore the team apart and even allowed itself to be carried away with disparaging ridicule, while disappointed fans threatened the football association with a bomb threat and others became aggressive towards the players' relatives. For example, the family of "Gonini" Vázquez Ayala was insulted on the phone and his car was scratched.
First round
| rank | country | Gates | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | .svg){kind=small} Poland |
4: 1 | 5 |
| 2 |  BR Germany |
6-0 | 4th |
| 3 |
 Tunisia
|
3: 2 | 3 |
| 4th |
Mexico
|
2:12 | 0 |
-
Tunisia - Mexico 3: 1 (0: 1)
Stadium: Estadio Gigante de Arroyito ( Rosario )
Spectators: 17,396
Referee: Gordon ( Scotland )
Goals: 0: 1 Vázquez Ayala (45th) (11m), 1: 1 Kaabi (55th), 2: 1 Ghommidh (79th), 3: 1 Dhouib (87th)
Even in their opening game against the newcomer to the World Cup, Tunisia, the Mexicans disappointed across the board. The only positive thing was the halftime result. After a poor first half, Antonio de la Torre crossed in the 45th minute from the left into the Tunisians' penalty area, where their defender Jebali acted awkwardly and got the ball to his left hand. Arturo Vázquez Ayala converted the due penalty to lead the Mexicans at break, who then experienced their blue miracle in the second half. Ali Kaabi equalized in the 55th minute with a hard shot from 15 meters into the bottom left corner of the goal before the Tunisians turned the game around in the final phase. At 2-1 in the 79th minute, Néjib Ghommidh ran just as unperturbed through the Mexican penalty area as Mokhtar Dhouib eight minutes later. While Ghommidh had prevailed on the left and overcame Reyes with a low shot, Dhouib ran unhindered through the right side of the box and lifted the ball to the 3-1 final score over the rushing goalkeeper of the Mexicans.
-
Germany - Mexico 6: 0 (4: 0)
Stadium: Estadio Chateau Carreras ( Córdoba )
Spectators: 35,258
Referee: Bouzo ( Syria )
Goals: 1: 0 D. Müller (15th), 2: 0 H. Müller (30th), 3: 0 Rummenigge (38th), 4: 0 Flea (44th), 5: 0 Rummenigge (73th) , 6: 0 fleas (89.)
In the initial phase, the game was still open. The Mexicans started with a long shot from 25 meters, which landed in Maier's arms. The first warning shot by the Germans missed the gate. The next long-range shot by the Mexicans did not pose any problems for Maier. After 15 minutes Dieter Müller pulled from almost 22 meters and overcame goalkeeper Reyes with a hard shot. A few minutes later came the most beautiful scene for the Mexicans in the game, when Hugo Sánchez kicked a cross at the penalty spot with an overhead kick, but clearly missed the goal. In the 26th minute, Heinz Flohe put the ball with a brilliant short pass to Hansi Müller, who was able to approach the goal alone and pushed into the far corner from five meters without being pushed. When the Mexicans unnecessarily lost the ball to Karl-Heinz Rummenigge about 30 meters in front of the German goal in the 38th minute, he ran completely unrestricted over the distance of about 60 meters and pushed the ball past the falling Reyes from about eleven meters away from the goal 3-0. During this action Rummenigge touched the Mexican goalkeeper with the tip of his shoe on the knee and injured him. Reyes had to leave the field and was replaced by Pedro Soto, who was powerless a minute after his substitution against a shot by Flhe from 25 yards. The game was decided by the break.
If the Germans hadn't missed a number of first-class chances in the second half, the biggest defeat in World Cup history for the Mexicans would have been far more obvious. But as it was, “el Tri” got away with the 0: 6 relatively lightly. After all, the German team, which could not achieve another victory in six games at this World Cup, could combine almost undisturbed in the Mexican penalty area.
-
Poland - Mexico 3: 1 (1: 0)
Stadium: Estadio Gigante de Arroyito ( Rosario )
Spectators: 22,651
Referee: Namdar ( Iran )
Goals: 1: 0 Boniek (43rd), 1: 1 Rangel (52nd), 2: 1 Deyna (56th), 3: 1 Boniek (84th)
In the last group game, when "el Tri" was eliminated, the Aztec players showed their best performance at this tournament. They had the first chance after a Cuéllar free-kick followed by a header from Sánchez, who went over the net. Immediately before the break, Boniek concluded an exemplary attack by the Poles, which was heralded by Deyna and reached him via Lato . Shortly after the break, the Mexicans struck back and equalized in their most beautiful attack during the entire tournament when Flores prevailed on the right side and served Rangel, who was able to take the ball in the six-yard box and left goalkeeper Tomaszewski no chance of defense. Shortly afterwards, the Mexicans had a huge opportunity to take the lead, but they were unable to use it. In return, Poland met after a press blow in the Mexican back team, which landed Deyna at the feet. With a precise and hard shot, he gave the Mexican goalkeeper Soto no defense from 20 yards. After that, events rolled over. Mexico still had three good chances to score, all of which were parried by a brilliant Tomaszewski. On the other hand, Boniek finished the game in the 84th minute with a long-range shot from 25 meters into the corner.
swell
- La Historia de las Copas del Mundo (Editorial Televisa, Mexico City, 2006)
- The 1978 World Cup at RSSSF.com
