Mexico vs. Croatia: Live Player Ratings for FIFA World Cup Group A Match

Mexico met Croatia in Recife with a place in the last 16 of the 2014 World Cup on the line.

It was Mexico who ran out 3-1 winners and they will face the Netherlands in the second round on Sunday.

Check below for comprehensive analysis and player ratings for both sides.

Half-Time Analysis

Guillermo Ochoa: The hero against Brazil has yet to be tested.

Francisco Rodriguez: Mexico have been looking to find the big defender at the near post at every corner.

Rafael Marquez: Booked for a cynical foul on Ivan Perisic to stop a break and must be cautious.

Hector Moreno: Croatia have rarely threatened Mexico's trio of central defenders.

Miguel Layun: Willing and had a goalbound shot deflected behind for a corner by Vedran Corluka

Paul Aguilar: Fantastic header to deny Mario Mandzukic a simple nod-in. Threatening going forward.

Andres Guardado: Shown good energy and outmuscled Darijo Srna to force a corner.

Hector Herrera: Could have had sight at goal if his touch from Rafael Marquez’ free-kick was better, but unlucky not to open the scoring when he rifled a shot against the crossbar. 

Jose Vazquez: Has worked hard to limit the impact of Ivan Rakitic on the game.

Giovani Dos Santos: Shown glimpses of promise when running at the Croatia defence, but on the fringes of proceedings.

Oribe Peralta: Beat the offside trap but slipped at the vital moment and failed to get his shot off.

Full-Time Analysis

Guillermo Ochoa: Got down low and made a good save to deny Perisic in injury-time.

Francisco Rodriguez: Got away with a casual clearance early in the second half but solid.

Rafael Marquez: Headed home the opening goal and then flicked on at the near post for the second.

Hector Moreno: Covered well to nip in ahead of Ivica Olic in the penalty area and made a fantastic stop on his goalline to deny Ante Rebic.

Miguel Layun: Mexico were more of an attacking threat down the right but handled Srna comfortably.

Paul Aguilar: Did superbly to create the chance that should have earned Mexico a penalty and forced a fine save from Pletikosa.

Andres Guardado: A sweet strike on goal was clearly handled and should have earned Mexico a penalty but put the game to bed with the second goal.

Hector Herrera: Superb delivery from the corner for Mexico’s opener.

Jose Vazquez: A cynical foul to halt a Croatia corner means he is suspended for the Dutch game.

Giovani Dos Santos: Replaced in the 62nd minute after not having an impact on the game.

Oribe Peralta: Lovely square ball for the second goal before being taken off in the 79th minute.

Subs

Javier Hernandez: Came on in the 62nd minute and nipped in with a far post header for his side’s third goal.

Carlos Pena: Came on in the 79th minute.

Marco Fabian: Came on in the 84th minute.

Half-Time Analysis

Stipe Pletikosa: Beaten all ends up by Herrera's shot, but yet to make a significant save.

Sime Vrsaljko: Hasn't offered anything on the overlap.

Vedran Corluka: Made a crucial block to turn Layun's shot behind for a corner.

Dejan Lovren: Central defenders were split by Herrera's delicious pass to Peralta, but otherwise solid.

Darijo Srna: A cute lob into the area from a corner almost caused trouble, but he curled a free-kick over the top.

Ivan Perisic: Spurned a great chance to run in on goal when he tried to pick out Olic, and slashed a shot high over the top.

Ivan Rakitic: A great cross from a short corner, but early yellow for a hefty challenge on Jose Vazquez and well shackled.

Danijel Pranjic: A shot from distance failed to test Ochoa, and has not impacted the game as he did against Cameroon.

Ivica Olic: A peripheral figure.

Luka Modric: Released from his defensive responsibilities in an advanced role, but a marginal impact so far.

Mario Mandzukic: Workhorse who earned an early corner with his persistence and teed up Perisic for a good chance.

Full-Time Analysis

Stipe Pletikosa: Totally misjudged a corner and was lucky that Corluka headed off his line, made a good save with his feet from Aguilar but slow to get down to the opening goal.

Sime Vrsaljko: Sacrificed in the 58th minute.

Vedran Corluka: Headed a swinging corner off his own line to keep his team on level terms before Mexico ran riot.

Dejan Lovren: No answers as Mexico swamped forward.

Darijo Srna: Lucky not to concede a penalty when he almost caught Guardado’s shot.

Ivan Perisic: Pulled back a consolation goal for his side with a late strike and a crisp volley was repelled by Ochoa in injury-time.

Ivan Rakitic: Showed a glimpse of his ability with the back heel for Perisic’s goal but went to sleep for Mexico’s third.

Danijel Pranjic: Spurned a great opportunity to find Mandzukic early in the period and taken off in the 74th minute.

Ivica Olic: No impact and replaced in the 69th minute.

Luka Modric: Weaving run to start the second-half but the Real Madrid star was a peripheral figure.

Mario Mandzukic: Gave the look of a man who was missing the service of Robben, Ribery, Kroos and co.

Subs

Mateo Kovacic: Came on in the 58th minute but little impact.

Ante Rebic: Came on in the 69th minute and a great mazy run almost resulted in a goal only for a last-gasp clearance. However blotted his copybook with a high tackle that saw him sent-off.

Nikita Jelavic: Came on in the 74th minute.