The striker scored one and played a huge role in another as the Central Americans turned on the style to ensure progression to the knockout stages where they will meet the Netherlands in a mouth-watering clash on Sunday.
Most of the world’s attention may have been on Brasilia for Brazil’s do-or-die clash with Cameroon, but in Recife there was plenty to play for as Croatia and Mexico battled it out for a place in the last-16.
You could cut the tension with a knife in the Arena Pernambuco when the two sides came onto the pitch and it certainly didn’t subside, as the largely partisan crowd got behind Mexico from the outset.
Only a Brazilian defeat would mean that a draw for these two would see them both progress to the knock-out stages, but neither side were willing to chance that outcome as they fought hard during the opening stages to try and exact some sort of control on the game.
With both teams cancelling each other out, it took half an hour for the game to really open up as Mexico’s hugely impressive Hector Herrera struck the crossbar from all of 30 yards out with a thunderous strike, and from there they seemed to grow in confidence.
Head coach Miguel Herrera’s side have gained huge plaudits throughout the tournament for their fearless football, and while they weren’t afraid to try different approaches, they were unable to find a way through Niko Kovac’s resolute Croatia.
The longer the game wore on, the more it looked like it would end goalless, but the introduction of Javier Hernandez on the hour mark for Mexico added some much needed zip to the contest.
Almost immediately after coming on the Manchester United man was at the centre of the action as he looked to be barged off the ball before Darijo Srna appeared to block Andres Guardado’s follow-up effort with his arms, but referee Ravshan Irmatov waved away any protests.
Those incidents seemed to galvanise Mexico, and soon they were ahead, as captain Rafael Marquez – captaining his side at a fourth World Cup – thundered in a header to give them the lead.
Just moments later Mexico were two-up, as the effervescent Hernandez picked the ball up inside his own half and powered forward. As he reached the edge of the box he slid the ball out to Oribe Peralta, who in turn played it into the path of Andres Guardado to slot home.
Hernandez then turned goalscorer to put the result beyond doubt, nipping in a the far post to nod home after Marquez’s flick on found the striker unmarked to send Mexico into dreamland.
Ivan Perisic grabbed a late consolation goal for Croatia, but it was quickly overshadowed as Ante Rebic received a straight red card for a late challenge on Carlos Pena.
Croatia may be left wondering what might have been following their controversial defeat to Brazil on the opening day of the tournament, but they can have little complaint after being resoundingly beaten by an exciting Mexican team who could still spring further surprises.
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