Recent Controversial Performances Spark Debate Among Fans
Just two weeks after receiving the Ballon d’Or for Best Goalkeeper of the 2024-2025 Mexican football season, Colombian goalkeeper Kevin Mier committed two significant errors during Cruz Azul’s visit to Atlas for the second match of the Apertura 2025 tournament.
Cruz Azul’s Narrow Escape from Defeat Amidst Mier’s Blunders
On Saturday, Cruz Azul, also known as “La Máquina,” faced Atlas at the Jalisco Stadium and narrowly avoided defeat due to Mier’s massive mistakes, sparking controversy.
- At the 17th minute, defender Willer Ditta retraced the ball to Mier, who was positioned ahead of the half-circle area. Mier failed to control the ball with his feet, resulting in a loss to Atlas’s forward Eduardo Aguirre, who scored the 1-0 goal.
- Before halftime, Atlas extended their lead to 2-0. Cruz Azul managed to tie the score at 2-2 with goals in the 55th and 58th minutes. However, just two minutes later, Mier allowed the 3-2 goal for Atlas with another unusual error.
- At the 60th minute, Brazilian player Matheus Doria shot from over 30 meters below the goal, and Mier prepared to receive the ball that slipped from his gloves, leading to the 3-2 score. Fortunately, Cruz Azul equalized at 3-3 in the 90th minute.
Criticism: Infantile Mistakes or Deliberate Blunders?
During this nightmarish game, fans took to social media X to criticize Mier’s performance with comments like: “If Kevin Mier were Mexican, with such infantile mistakes, he would already be a backup goalkeeper.”
Some fans recalled Mier’s errors in crucial matches that led to eliminations against América in the Apertura 2024 semifinals (poor positioning on a distant shot) and Clausura 2025 (failing to secure the ball in the area and committing a penalty).
“With several infantile mistakes by Mier costing matches, even in final stages, it would be wise to give another goalkeeper a chance, considering that Mier could leave at any moment or at least not feel his position is secure,” was another fan’s opinion.
There were also comments suggesting Mier intentionally made the mistakes, prompting Javier Alarcón, an ESPN journalist and Cruz Azul fan, to defend Mier on social media X: “The devilish fate caught him, but to say he did it on purpose… is absurd.”
Alarcón advised Mier to “correct” his overconfidence issues.
Larcamón Supports Mier Amid Criticism
A common critique from fans focused on Mier’s unacceptable mistakes when he is considered a “modern goalkeeper” for playing the ball with his feet, frequently operating outside the area, and initiating attacks from the back.
“The best with his feet made a hand error,” pointed out David Faitelson, a TUDN journalist. Despite the errors, Faitelson expressed confidence in Mier: “He is one of the best goalkeepers in Liga MX. To make mistakes, you have to be out there.”
Within Cruz Azul, following the match, Mier received support from his teammates and coaching staff.
“It was one of those nights where the mistakes left him exposed,” Cruz Azul’s Argentine head coach, Nicolás Larcamón, acknowledged in a press conference. He emphasized that “we have the best goalkeeper in the tournament and league.”
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: What led to the controversy surrounding Kevin Mier? A: Mier committed two major errors during a match against Atlas, sparking debate among fans about his performance.
- Q: What were the specific mistakes made by Kevin Mier? A: Mier failed to control the ball with his feet, allowing Atlas’s forward to score and made another error that resulted in a 3-2 goal for Atlas.
- Q: How did fans react to Mier’s performance? A: Fans criticized Mier’s infantile mistakes, with some suggesting he made the errors deliberately. Journalist Javier Alarcón defended Mier, stating it was absurd to claim he did so intentionally.
- Q: What is the general consensus within Cruz Azul about Mier’s performance? A: Despite the criticism, Cruz Azul’s head coach Nicolás Larcamón supports Mier, recognizing him as the best goalkeeper in the tournament and league.
