It was the 62nd minute of Mexico’s final Group A encounter with Croatia when the fourth official raised the substitution board which announced El Tri’s No14 was entering the fray. In Los Aztecas’ opening two games at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, Javier Hernandez had joined the action on 74 minutes, but failed to find the net. The 26-year-old had a hefty weight on his shoulders, having gone a year and a day since last scoring for his country.
Third in Mexico’s all-time top scorers’ list with 36 goals, Chicharito’s last effort for El Tri also came on Brazilian soil, against Japan in last year’s FIFA Confederations Cup. Thrown on versus the Croatians by coach Miguel Herrera to try and turn a game locked at 0-0, within 20 minutes the Mexicans charged into a 3-0 lead at a vibrant Arena Pernambuco, Hernandez himself grabbing the third to finally end his lengthy drought.
Releasing the pressure
Just as for Los Aztecas’ opener, headed home by skipper Rafa Marquez, goal number three of the night came from a corner. Marquez flicked on for Chicharito to steal in and nod home at the far post. “It felt like a weight had been lifted,” said Hernandez, speaking exclusively to FIFA.com after the match.
“This whole year has been very tough. Players need confidence more than anything else, and I’ve been very short of it. Very few people have shown faith in me over this past year,” he added with a wry smile, reflecting a blend of happiness and relief.
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