24 June, 2017
There was then huge controversy as New Zealand squandered a brilliant opportunity.
"If I was a big team in world football and we were taken right to the edge by a smaller team like New Zealand there's a certain amount of discomfort there and big pressure".
Fernando Santos' men now meet New Zealand on Sunday in its final game of the group stage, while Russian Federation faces Mexico on matchday three.
New Zealand's Ryan Thomas also became involved and a mass brawl ensued.
In the 72nd minute, Peralta made New Zealand pay for their wastefulness - Chris Wood could've and should've scored two or three - when he swept home Javier Aquino's cutback from six yards out.
Moreno replaced the injured Salcedo (who reportedly dislocated his shoulder) as New Zealand continued to look threatening from set pieces, and Mexico's attack was completely blunted by the Kiwis.
New Zealand played on, went down the other end and almost scored, with the Mexicans urging their opponents to stop the game.
"The game was really rough, almost violent and I think that's unacceptable. That's unacceptable and why I lost my temper", he said.
These two teams drew in their only competitive meeting to date in the 1970 World Cup and a point apiece could be enough to send both teams through, but only if New Zealand record a shock victory over Portugal. "I was very offended and I heard some insults in my direction in Spanish".
"I apologize, my words were wrong", Osorio said through an interpreter.
The All Whites were equally culpable when an ugly melee broke out in second half added time but Mexico's players did not hold back as the incident unfolded and there could be little doubt they had been dragged into a scrap against a team ranked no less than 78 places below them.
"I am proud of what my team did, it's normal to have to suffer at this level, but we deserved to win".
Smith had a close-range header saved for New Zealand before Jurgen Damm fired just over after his superb solo run at the other end threatened to seal victory.
A second Group A loss means New Zealand can't reach the semi-finals, regardless of their final group result against unbeaten Portugal on Saturday.
El Tri did equalise in the 54th minute, Aquino charging down the left and linking up with Marco Fabian, who in turn found Jimenez, with the striker's shot on the turn taking a slight deflection and proving too hot for Marinovic to handle.
