Jason Pine: Fairytale finish puts Group D in deadlock

Kevin Gutierrez of Mexico celebrates after scoring a goal during the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 Group D match between Mexico and Uruguay. Photo / AP.

If you could find the polar opposite (polar being the operative word) to lazing on a sun-soaked Cancun beach in Mexico, it would be a rain-drenched Wednesday night in Dunedin.

As their hardy fans shivered in the stands, the Mexicans - who knew defeat would all but spell the end of their tournament - tried for well over an hour to break down a stubborn Uruguayan defence.

When the dam finally burst, it came via a defensive error, but Mexico could care less. They had a priceless 1-0 lead with the clock running down.

The South Americans came roaring back and grabbed an equaliser, seriously denting Mexico's hopes of all three points.

But then, in added time, football again produced one of the fairy-tale finishes it is famous for.

Defender Kevin Gutierrez stepped up to curl an absolutely sumptuous free-kick over a 7-man wall and in off the crossbar. The celebrations were equal parts joy and relief as the Mexicans gave their tournament hopes a much-needed shot in the arm.

If Mexico's players were cold in the Deep South, imagine how Mali felt. The forecast temperature in their capital Bamako yesterday was 36 degrees. When they kicked off against Serbia last night, it was less than a fifth of that.

As the game started, it felt like a throwback to 2010 in South Africa. Had a container load of vuvuzelas been snuck into Dunedin Stadium? No, that was the sound of absolutely monsoonal rain pounding against the roof. Goodness only knows what would have happened if the roof hadn't been there given it had been bucketing down since 4am.

Serbia - perhaps more accustomed to single-digit temperatures - started better and opened the scoring with another free-kick, this one low and around the wall. It was all they had to show though for a first half during which they had by far the better opportunities.

That continued in the second spell as the Malians grew colder and more disinterested. A clutch of chances were narrowly missed before the Serbs eventually doubled their lead to move out of sight with fifteen minutes to go. The African reserves looked on forlornly from the bench, wrapped in blankets, teeth chattering.

Group D is now a four-way deadlock with all teams on three points from two games. Mali, Mexico, Serbia or Uruguay could all finish in any position in the group, depending on what happens on Saturday.

Win and you're through, draw and you might be, lose and you won't be.

You couldn't write that script, especially in Dunedin. Your hands would be far too cold for starters.