Mexico defeated by European giants, but is it all doom and gloom?

England 3 - 1 Mexico

Netherlands 2 - 1 Mexico

(videos of Mex goals below)

The results and performances contained little shock value.

What we learned is that a stable back four and goalkeeper are essential and that upfront Mexico are still missing the kind of chances that will see them returning early from South Africa with long faces. And, that playing two games in three days probably isn't the most genius pre-World Cup schedule planning ever seen.

On the positive side of things, Mexico can take confidence that they can compete with the top nations, haven't yet played their best players in one game and a genuinely good forward line may be emerging.

In the last 15 minutes against Holland, with Chicharito, Carlos Vela and Giovani forming the front three Mexico looked fast, fluid and youthful and had Holland if not on the ropes, then definitely feeling a little uncomfortable. Surely Mexico coach Aguirre noted that and they will be the forward three against South Africa on June 11. It makes Mexico a more exciting and unpredicatable team to watch.

There is, however, no guarantee especially with the vastly experienced Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Guillermo Franco pushing for places. Both have ample World Cup experience and understand the pressure of what will be a cauldron of a stadium June 11 against the hosts.

We await the games against Gambia on Sunday and then Italy on Thursday to get a better idea of what the line up will be in South Africa.

This blogger votes for youth.

GOALS....GOALS.... GOALS....GOALS.... GOALS....not many of them)

Videos in Spanish solely for the amazing gooooooooooool shouts of the commentators.

Mexico goal(Franco) v England:



Chicharito against Holland: