Mexico defender Ricardo Osorio stressed his team-mates could not be blamed for the 0-0 draw with Angola which leaves them sweating on their last match to qualify for the second phase of the World Cup.

With Portugal having already secured one of the two Group D berths in the last 16 and Iran eliminated, the second berth will be contested by Mexico and Angola.

Mexico are still favourites to progress but the Tricolores may yet live to regret their failure to finish off the African side.

In the second half, with Angola reduced to 10 men by the sending-off of Andre, the Mexicans laid siege to the Black Antelopes' goal but could not find the match-winning goal as the Africans, inspired by part-time goalkeeper Joao Ricardo, hung on for the point.

Osorio felt the Mexicans had done their best, saying: "Our approach was positive.

"Angola came into the match with the clear intention not to concede goals, and no matter how hard we tried, we couldn't score.

"It feels more like a defeat than a draw, but qualification is in our own hands."

Mexico are still favourites to beat Angola to the last-16 spot still available.

Angola need to beat Iran and Mexico must lose to Portugal for the Africans to have any hope of progressing but even then the Tricolores have scored three goals to Angola's none so far in the tournament.

Osorio, who plays his club football for Cruz Azul, preferred to stress the positive.

The 26-year-old said: "We've got four points, and all is not lost. Their goalkeeper deserved to be man of the match."