Want an example of players not performing for the coach? Look no further than France’s 2-0 loss to an impressive Mexico in Group A of the World Cup on Thursday.

Mexico took it to France and was technically superior, getting the opener when Manchester United’s Javier Hernandez beat the offside trap early in the second half and adding an insurance goal on Cuauhtemoc Blanco’s perfectly placed penalty late in the half. Pablo Barrera earned the penalty in brilliant fashion, blowing past the normally speedy Patrice Evra, Hernandez’s now club teammate, and getting hauled down by Eric Abidal.

France’s beleaguered coach, Raymond Domenech, looked disinterested, too. He might be on his last legs, but Thierry Henry should still be the first attacking choice off the bench instead of Andre-Pierre Gignac. Sidney Govou, again, proved how rubbish he was. Henry and Djibril Cisse warmed up late in the second half and stayed well away from the French bench.

Clearly there’s no spirit within the camp. Alan Shearer, the retired, prolific English striker, called France the worst team in the competition afterwards. Only a miracle sees them advancing. Mexico and Uruguay have four points, France and South Africa one. France next faces South Africa, and on this performance, the host should be the favorite.