But if the foreign players leave a legacy of sons as skilful as Giovani Dos Santos, maybe Mexican football will see that as a fair trade.

BBC: SPORT | Football | World Football | The Mexicans are coming

It was the home team who had made the early running but Spurs gave an indicator of their attacking quality when a strike from a tight angle by Giovani dos Santos struck the crossbar.

BBC: Preston 1-5 Tottenham

Another member of their attacking triumvirate, Tottenham's Giovani Dos Santos, produced another lively display to match the one he produced against South Africa and, but for Patrice Evra's presence, would have been able to get greater purchase on a shot that bobbled wide just before half-time.

BBC: France 0-2 Mexico