A second-half spot kick by striker Coauhtemoc Blanco gave Mexico a 1-0 win over Croatia in their first Group G World Cup match on Monday. In the 16th minute after the break, the Valladolid player scored the only goal after being brought down by Croatia's defender Boris Zivkovic in the box. Zivkovic became the first player in the 2002 finals to be sent off for hacking down Blanco at Big Swan stadium in Niigata. Mexico face Ecuador in Miyagi on Sunday, while Croatia take on Italy in Ibaraki on Saturday.

The 60th minute penalty kick from Cuauhtemoc Blanco gave Mexico a one to nothing victory today in the opening Group G match of the World Cup at Japan's Niikata Stadium. The penalty also resulted in the first ever "red card" of the 2002 global soccer festival, for Croatia's Boris Zickovic, who performed a deep and aggressive tackle against the attacker, while making no contact with the ball. Thanks to its first match victory, the Mexican squad recorded 3 points, according to the
league system, which gives 3 points for a win, one for a tie and none for a defeat. Meanwhile, all time World Cup favorites Brazil garnered a two to one victory over Turkey in their orld Cup Group C match at Ulsan Munsu Stadium of Korea. A goal by Hasan Sas gave the Turks a one to nothing lead until Ronaldo lunged a Rivaldo cross into the net in the 50th minute. Riv Rivaldo scored the winner on a spot kick in the 87th minute following Alpay Ozalan's expulsion for pulling back Brazilian forward Luizao. In the last of the day at Sapporo, Japan, Italy beat Ecuador two to nothing. Christian Vieri scored two goals in the first half.