France follow African teams in poor run, lose 2-0 to Mexico

Mexico which enjoyed a 51% ball possession had initially started low-key and France were looking more dangerous with Chelsea team-mates Florent Malouda and Nicholas Anelka making some in-roads.

But by the 15th minute, Mexico had found their footing and their attacks became more pronounced.

By the 25th minute, the French defense was looking fragile and William Gallas had already let in some potentially threatening moments.

In the 31st minute, Carlos Vela was substituted with Pablo Barrera.

Mexico started taking charge of the half and by the end of the first half, both teams were still sizing up each other, with shots on target, and even a freekick by Franck Ribery which heads straight into the wall.

Andre-Pierre Gignac came in for Anelka in the beginning of the second half, and the period commenced with two cards, one for Effrain Juarez and the second for Hector Moreno.

The best chance for France came when Chelsea's Florient Malouda latched a powerful shot on target, which is flicked over the goal post by Mexico custodian Oscar Perez.

Immediately after, Javier Hernandez came in for Efrain Juarez in the 55th minute. Cuauhtemoc Blanco comes replaced Guillermo Franco in the 62nd minute.

France's most desperate moment came when substitute Javier Hernandez slipped through the French defense and side-stepped the goal-keeper, and while most thought that he was offside, the flag stayed down and he wasted no time sinking the goal in the 64th minute.

On the 70th minute, Sydney Govou made way for Mathieu Valbuena.

Then the worst happened in the 79th minute; Eric Abidal brought down Pablo Barrera in the box, earning a yellow-card and gifting the Mexicans with a penalty. Cuauhtemoc Blanco did not waste the opportunity doubling their lead and sending the stadium into a frenzy.

Complaints were abound over the fact that players like Karim Benzema, Thierry Henry and Nasri were not tested during the match.

And as one cynical football analyst concluded, "somebody wake me up when the world cup begins, coz these international friendlies are boring me stiff!"