Following Mexico's 2-0 victory against South Africa in their World Cup debut, Argentine journalist Toti Pasman launched a sharp critique against the Mexican national team, also known as El Tri. Despite the win, Pasman argued that Javier Aguirre's squad lacked the necessary mindset to advance far in the tournament. He specifically criticized their conservative tactical approach after gaining an early lead, suggesting they missed an opportunity to dominate a perceived weaker opponent, even with the strong support of over 80,000 fans at Azteca Stadium. This assessment sparked a debate about the team's true potential and strategic choices.
Pasman's main point of contention was Mexico's perceived lack of ambition. He expressed disappointment that, once ahead, the team opted for a defensive stance rather than continuing to press for a more decisive victory. In his editorial, he famously declared, "You have no greatness, Mexico, no greatness. That's why you're a losing national team in the history of the World Cups." This statement underscored his belief that the team's cautious play reflected a deeper-seated issue preventing them from achieving significant success on the world stage.
The Argentine commentator also directed his criticism towards the officiating, specifically Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio. Pasman suggested that the referee's decisions unduly favored Mexico, pointing to the instance where South Africa was reduced to nine players. He further downplayed Julián Quiñones's goal, labeling the first half as a "little gift" from the opposing team, and insinuated that the later sending-off of captain César 'Cachorro' Montes was merely an attempt to "balance things out a little." These remarks fueled the narrative of a biased match and cast doubt on the legitimacy of Mexico's performance.
Finally, Pasman extended his disapproval to the coaching staff, including 'Vasco' Aguirre and Rafael Márquez, for their proposed conservative game plan. He lamented the lack of entertaining football, stating that if such a cautious style was desired, the team should have revisited past coaches like Lavolpe or Bigotón, who were known for their preference for attacking play. This sentiment highlighted a desire for a more dynamic and offensive approach from the Mexican side, contrasting sharply with the pragmatic strategy observed in their opening match.
In essence, the post-match commentary by the Argentine journalist underscored a significant dissatisfaction with Mexico's performance, despite securing a victory. The criticism centered on the team's conservative tactics, perceived lack of winning mentality, and questionable officiating, suggesting that El Tri's approach fell short of expectations for a truly competitive World Cup contender.
