Mexico captain Rafael Marquez once again led by example to help carry his side into the last 16 of the World Cup, superbly marshalled the tournament's meanest defence against a team who had to win to go through and then popped up with the breakthrough goal.
Marquez's powerful 72nd-minute header forced Croatia to push even harder and that played straight into Mexico's hands as they added a further two in the next 10 minutes to set up a knockout tie against free-scoring Holland.
Andres Guadardo expertly converted a counter-attack move down the right before substitute Javier Hernandez put his frustrating season at Manchester United behind him by nodding in from close range. Perisic's well-taken consolation three minutes from time came too late to save Croatia from a World Cup exit, which came slightly earlier for Ante Rebic who was sent off for a high lunge at Carlos Pena.
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