Calm Mexicans begin plotting conquest of south America

(AFP/Getty)

The Mexican camp is not getting carried away after defeating France on Thursday, but fans sporting green shirts and sombreros are growing in number after yet another entertaining display.

Spurred on by the vast majority at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, Javier Aguirre's troops beat France for the first time in seven attempts and if they did not have people talking about them before, they will now after a swashbuckling display.

Uruguay are next up on June 22 and with Argentina likely to lie in wait for the Group A runners-up, Aguirre's team will be looking to win to ensure they avoid Lionel Messi and co. Uruguay will win the group if the game is drawn.

Mexico and Uruguay both have four points but the South Americans have a superior goal difference following their 3-0 victory over hosts South Africa on Wednesday.

France or the hosts could pip the loser of the Group A table-toppers clash to a place in the first knockout round, while a draw will mean both Uruguay and Mexico qualify.

"I hope against Uruguay we can impose our style. If we draw then of course they will benefit," former Mexico international Aguirre told a news conference after the 2-0 defeat of the 1998 World Cup winners.

Prior to the match coach Aguirre had promised to attack France and his side was true to his word, playing some fluent football.

"We always try to be audacious to put the ball in the net and we do run risks.

"When I leave this team whoever comes after me will have his own style, that's the beautiful thing about football.

"But I think the credit goes to my players. They kept their cool and style and simply shot forward," Aguirre said.

Bomb forward is what Mexico do best, through a combination of swift passes and pace all over the park.

"We really needed to play well today after the bad second half against South Africa," Aguirre added.

Mexico had to travel back to their base on the outskirts of Johannesburg after the match so could not witness the roads leading out of Polokwane turning green, especially with some South Africans adopting Mexico as their new favourite team.

However, there is work to do yet said Mexico's first goal scorer Javier Hernandez, nicknamed 'El Chicharito', which translates to 'little pea'.

"We've been lucky to finalise our moves and score goals. Let's enjoy today but tomorrow we have to think about Uruguay," the marksman said.

The new Manchester United striker who scored the opening goal on Thursday also said the win had proved a valuable point to the players.

"Aside from the victory, which I believe is of great importance, we know we have the ability to play against quality opponents," added the 22-year-old, who agreed a deal with Manchester United in April but will officially complete his £7million move from Chivas next month.

"I had the fortune of scoring but it was the work the group put in. Here one player does not score but rather the whole team scores."

Mexico, would progress to the knockout stage for sixth successive occasion if they make it through, although they have not gone past the second round since 1986.

Arsenal forward Carlos Vela is a doubt for the final group game against Uruguay after limping off with what appeared to be a hamstring problem.

Midfielder Efrain Juarez is suspended following a booking he picked up during the match against France.

"I'm very worried for Vela and the team about his injury," Aguirre added. "We still have to wait for the confirmation from the doctor with a more detailed examination, but from what he says it's a muscle injury."