Ricardo La Volpe saw his 10-man Mexico side stutter and stumble their way into the last 16 of the World Cup despite a 2-1 defeat to Portugal.

The nerves of the coach and his team appeared to be stretched to breaking point in the Schalke Arena where the roof was closed.

Two goals down to Maniche and Simao Sabrosa (pen), they fought back through Jose Fonseca - but Omar Bravo missed a penalty and then Luis Perez was sent off. The normally-vociferous Mexican supporters were remarkably quiet given that rivals Angola were running Iran close.