France jinxed by Mexican wave
Published:Friday | June 18, 2010 | 12:00 AM
POLOKWANE, South Africa (AP):
Mexico striker Javier Hernandez carried on a family tradition by scoring against France at the World Cup on Thursday: his grandfather did the same thing 56 years ago.
The 22-year-old Hernandez came on as a second-half substitute and escaped the offside trap set up by the France defence after 63 minutes. He dribbled past goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and netted the ball in the empty goal.
His strike helped Mexico beat France 2-0 to leave the team with an excellent chance of advancing from Group A.
It was a happier ending than Hernandez's grandfather Tomas Balcazar experienced, losing 3-2 despite his goal at the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland.
Hernandez has now scored eight times in 14 appearances for the national team.
The family has a long footballing tradition. His father, also named Javier Hernandez, was part of Mexico's squad for the 1986 World Cup on home soil but did not play.
Balcazar was full of praise for his grandson before the World Cup.
"This is the fruit of all the hard work he has done since he began playing at eight years old," he said.
More World Cup coverage in Section B.