Angola frustrate Mexico with 0-0 draw

The Africans kept their favoured opponents out of the net while keeping themselves alive for a spot in the second round.

Goalkeeper Joao Ricardo frustrated Mexico with some dramatic saves on Friday to help World Cup newcomer Angola hold Mexico to a 0-0 draw in Group D.

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Angola, which was reduced to 10 men in the 79th minute, kept its favoured opponents out of the net while keeping itself alive for a spot in the second round.

Five days after an opening 1-0 loss to former colonial ruler Portugal, the Black Antelopes frustrated the Mexicans with desperate defending to earn their first point at the World Cup. The draw also postponed Mexico's celebrations. The Mexicans sought to move to the verge of the round-of-16 with a second victory.

Ricardo's most desperate effort came in the 57th minute, racing off his line and leaping to thwart Guillermo Franco's attempt to chip him from inside the penalty area. Second-half substitute Jesus Arellano put the rebound back on goal, but Jamba cleared the ball off the line.

The result left Mexico atop Group D with four points.