Mexico’s Oribe Peralta, left, fights for the ball with Croatia’s Sime Vrsaljko during the group A World Cup soccer match between Croatia and Mexico at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, Monday, June 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Mexico’s Oribe Peralta reacts after missing a chance during the group A World Cup soccer match between Croatia and Mexico at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, Monday, June 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)
Croatia’s Mario Mandzukic and Mexico’s Hector Moreno challenge for the ball during the group A World Cup soccer match between Croatia and Mexico at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, Monday, June 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Mexico’s Oribe Peralta heads the ball next to Croatia’s Sime Vrsaljko during the group A World Cup soccer match between Croatia and Mexico at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, Monday, June 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
RECIFE, Brazil — Mexico surged into the World Cup’s knockout stage for a sixth-straight time Monday with a 3-1 win over Croatia.
Rafael Marquez, Andres Guardado and Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez scored in a 10-minute span in the second half, dooming a talented Croatia side to elimination from the group stage.
The Croats had to win to advance and held the bulk of possession, but had trouble seriously threatening goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who kept out all efforts until an 87th-minute consolation goal from Ivan Perisic.
Mexico entered the game needing only a draw, and looked dangerous in attack, but was kept out until the three-goal burst.
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