Mexico are through to the semifinals of the London 2012 Olympics men’s soccer tournament, and have a chance to capture a medal for the first time. They jumped out to a 2-0 lead in their quarterfinal match against Senegal, but threw that lead away and were forced into extra time. In that extra period, Senegal’s defense made two terrible mistakes, gifting El Tri the 4-2 victory.
Mexico Vs. Senegal, 2012 Olympics: Final Score 4-2 After Extra Time, With El Tri Through
Jorge Enriquez scored the opener with a brilliant header off of a free kick in the 10th minute. He made a great run to the near post to get on the end of the ball, then hit a perfect looping header to the back post to give his side the lead. In the 62nd minute, Javier Aquino doubled Mexico's lead.
Senegal fired back and got into the match just seven minutes later when Maccabi Tel-Aviv’s Moussa Kounate scored his fifth goal of the tournament. Aquino was withdrawn for Hector Herrera in a slightly defensive move in the 75th minute, and that switch backfired. Immediately after the substitution, Senegal substitute Ibrahima Balde headed in the equalizer that would eventually force extra time.
Despite their fantastic comeback, Senegal would not put up much of a fight in extra time. They gifted Giovani dos Santos the game-winner in the 98th minute when Papa Gueye gave the ball away at the top of his own penalty area. In the 109th minute, Abdoulaye Ba gave Mexico a second gift, misplaying a ball backwards to his keeper. Ousmane Mane couldn't clear and the ball deflected to Herrera to head in and seal the 4-2 win for El Tri.
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