Sports2014 World Cupmexico world cup

Mexico Erupts For Late Goals To Defeat Croatia, Advance To Round Of 16 (VIDEOS/GIF)

HIGHLIGHTS: Mexico Erupts For Late Goals To Advance At World Cup
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Sports Editor, The Huffington Post

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Mexico's Rafael Marquez (4) celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the group A World Cup soccer match between Croatia and Mexico at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, Monday, June 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

The stakes were clear and so was the result.

Both Mexico and Croatia took the field at Arena Pernambuco in Recife on Monday knowing that a win would secure a spot the Round of 16. After a scoreless first half, El Tri surged past Croatia 3-1 to extend its stay at the 2014 World Cup as the runner-up in Group A.

A draw also would have been enough to send Mexico through to the Round of 16 and the cagey match seemed headed in that direction into its final half hour when a missed call by the referee seemed to spark the late scoring spurt. Referee Ravshan Irmatov missed what seemed to a blatant handball by Croatia defender Darijo Srna to block a shot by Mexico's Andres Guardado in the 64th minute.

(GIF via @FlyByKnite)

Guardado would soon be one of three players to score in a span of about 10 minutes as the mood of Mexico coach Miguel Herrera went from enraged to euphoric.

Croatia would pull back a goal in the 87th minute but could not recover from the Mexico onslaught. The 3-1 win clinched the runner-up spot in Group A for Mexico. Brazil, who also won on Monday, topped the group thanks to a superior goal differential. Both teams are heading for the Round of 16.

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Before You Go

PHOTOS: Mexico vs Croatia
Croatia v Mexico: Group A - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(01 of45)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 23: Ante Rebic of Croatia receives a red card during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group A match between Croatia and Mexico at Arena Pernambuco on June 23, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Croatia v Mexico: Group A - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(02 of45)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 23: Ante Rebic of Croatia walks off the pitch after receiving a red card during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group A match between Croatia and Mexico at Arena Pernambuco on June 23, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Croatia v Mexico: Group A - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(03 of45)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 23: Javier Hernandez of Mexico scores his team's third goal past goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa of Croatia during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group A match between Croatia and Mexico at Arena Pernambuco on June 23, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Mexico's forward Javier Hernandez celebrates after scoring the 0-3 during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / YURI CORTEZ (Photo credit should read YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Mexico's forward Javier Hernandez celebrates scoring his team's third goal during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Mexico's defender Andres Guardado celebrates scoring his team's second goal during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Croatia v Mexico: Group A - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(07 of45)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 23: Andres Guardado of Mexico shoots and scores his team's second goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group A match between Croatia and Mexico at Arena Pernambuco on June 23, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Mexico's defender Rafael Marquez celebrates after scoring during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / YURI CORTEZ (Photo credit should read YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Mexico's defender Rafael Marquez (2nd R) heads the ball to score during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / EMMANUEL DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Croatia's goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa fails to save Mexico's first goal of the match, headed in by Mexico's defender and captain Rafael Marquez (not seen), during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Mexico's defender Rafael Marquez (R) heads the ball to score during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / EMMANUEL DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Croatia's forward Mario Mandzukic (L) and Mexico's defender Francisco Rodriguez vie for the ball during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / YURI CORTEZ (Photo credit should read YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Croatia's forward Ivica Olic (R) and Mexico's defender Paul Aguilar vie for the ball during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / EMMANUEL DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Croatia v Mexico: Group A - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(14 of45)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 23: Dejan Lovren of Croatia and Giovani dos Santos of Mexico compete for the ball during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group A match between Croatia and Mexico at Arena Pernambuco on June 23, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Croatia's defender Dejan Lovren (L) and Mexico's forward Giovani Dos Santos vie for the ball during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Croatia v Mexico: Group A - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(16 of45)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 23: Head coach Miguel Herrera of Mexico gestures during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group A match between Croatia and Mexico at Arena Pernambuco on June 23, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Mexico's forward Oribe Peralta (R) misses an attempt at Croatia's goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa's goal during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Mexico's defender Rafael Marquez (L) and Croatia's forward Mario Mandzukic vie for the ball during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / EMMANUEL DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Mexico's forward Oribe Peralta (R) misses an attempt at Croatia's goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa's goal during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Mexico's midfielder Hector Herrera (L) and Croatia's defender Danijel Pranjic vie for the ball during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / EMMANUEL DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Mexico's midfielder Hector Herrera (L) and Croatia's defender Danijel Pranjic vie for the ball during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / EMMANUEL DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Mexico's coach Miguel Herrera (R) reacts during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / EMMANUEL DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Croatia v Mexico: Group A - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(23 of45)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 23: Head coach Miguel Herrera of Mexico gestures during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group A match between Croatia and Mexico at Arena Pernambuco on June 23, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-WC-2014-MATCH34-CRO-MEX(24 of45)
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Croatia's midfielder Sammir reacts after an unsucessful attempt at goal during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF (Photo credit should read DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-WC-2014-MATCH34-CRO-MEX(25 of45)
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Mexico's defender Andres Guardado (L) and Croatia's defender Darijo Srna vie for the ball during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / YURI CORTEZ (Photo credit should read YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-WC-2014-MATCH34-CRO-MEX(26 of45)
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Croatia's midfielder Ivan Perisic (R) and Mexico's defender Miguel Layun vie for the ball during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / YURI CORTEZ (Photo credit should read YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-WC-2014-MATCH34-CRO-MEX(27 of45)
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Croatia's defender Danijel Pranjic plays the ball during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / EMMANUEL DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Mexico's forward Oribe Peralta (R) clashes with Croatia's goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF (Photo credit should read DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Croatia's goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa (C) and Croatia's defender Dejan Lovren (R) vie for the ball with Mexico's defender Hector Moreno (L) during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / YURI CORTEZ (Photo credit should read YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Mexico's forward Oribe Peralta (R) misses an attempt at Croatia's goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa's goal during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF (Photo credit should read DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Croatia v Mexico: Group A - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(31 of45)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 23: Andres Guardado of Mexico and Darijo Srna of Croatia compete for the ball during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group A match between Croatia and Mexico at Arena Pernambuco on June 23, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Uzbek referee Ravshan Irmatov (R) shows the yellow card to Mexico's defender Rafael Marquez (2nd R) during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / EMMANUEL DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Mexico's defender Andres Guardado (L) and Croatia's midfielder Ivan Perisic in action during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF (Photo credit should read DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Mexico's defender Hector Moreno (L) vies for the ball with Croatia's goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / EMMANUEL DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Croatia v Mexico: Group A - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(35 of45)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 23: Ivan Rakitic of Croatia and Jose Juan Vazquez of Mexico compete for the ball during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group A match between Croatia and Mexico at Arena Pernambuco on June 23, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Croatia's midfielder Ivan Perisic falls on the pitch during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / EMMANUEL DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Croatia's forward Mario Mandzukic and Mexico's defender Francisco Rodriguez vie for the ball during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Croatia's defender Vedran Corluka (R) and Mexico's forward Oribe Peralta vie for the ball during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / YURI CORTEZ (Photo credit should read YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Referee Ravshan Irmatov of Uzbekistan (back C) shows the yelloow card to Croatia's midfielder Ivan Rakitic (L) after a tackle on Mexico's midfielder Jose Vazquez (background, behind referee) during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Uzbek referee Ravshan Irmatov (L) discusses with Croatia's midfielder Luka Modric (C) getting medical treatment after injury during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / EMMANUEL DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Mexico's defender Rafael Marquez and Mexico's goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa talk during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / EMMANUEL DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Croatia's forward Mario Mandzukic (R) vies for the ball with Mexico's midfielder Jose Vazquez (L) and Mexico's defender Francisco Rodriguez (C) and during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Croatia v Mexico: Group A - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(43 of45)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 23: A general view of the stadium during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group A match between Croatia and Mexico at Arena Pernambuco on June 23, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Croatia's defender Sime Vrsaljko (L) and Mexico's midfielder Hector Herrera vie for the ball during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / EMMANUEL DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Mexico's goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa (R) defends his goal from attack by Croatia's forward Mario Mandzukic (L) as Mexico's defender Paul Aguilar (C) runs on during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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