SOME would argue Mexico-USA relations have hit an all-time low after Donald Trump’s blockbuster rise to presidency — but the scenes before their World Cup qualifier suggest differently.
Trump’s infamous promise to build a wall between the two countries was a focal point of his presidential campaign — so the teams did just that.
Before the game began, players from both sides gathered together, arms draped around one another, for a photo before kick-off.
Mexico attacked USA early with a goal from Miguel Layun in the 22nd minute which skittled the home side’s confidence. USA struck back to even the score early in the second half, but Mexico were able to silence their hopes with a stunning late game goal to seal their first win in the United States in World Cup qualifying since 1972.
ESPN’s Kary Correa praised the gesture, saying: “The beauty of football is that it knows no borders or walls — it is a subject that has us glued to the TV.”
Lo hermoso del fútbol es que no sabe de fronteras ni de muros.. Es un motivo que nos tiene a dos naciones pegadas al televisor disfrutando pic.twitter.com/TIACp6H0Be
— Kary Correa (@KaryCorrea) November 12, 2016
Mexican and American players pose together for the team portrait pic.twitter.com/dKTwev0hOe
— Nando (@nandorvila) November 12, 2016
The U.S. dominated the second half before the 37-year-old Marquez, unmarked and drifting across the penalty area at the near post, got the back of his head on Layun’s corner kick. The Mexican captain lifted the ball over goalkeeper Brad Guzan for his 17th international goal.
The U.S. had beaten Mexico four straight times by 2-0 scores in home qualifiers — all at Columbus — and the Americans had been 30-0-2 at home in qualifying since a 3-2 loss to Honduras at Washington’s RFK Stadium in September 2001. Mexico’s previous win at the U.S. in qualifying was also by a 2-1 score, at Los Angeles.
“I think we deserved this match,” Layun said. “We were focused.” Guzan had lost the U.S. goalkeeper job to Tim Howard, who started at the last two World Cups. But Howard injured his right leg on a goal kick and was replaced in the 40th minute.
MEXICO BREAK DOWN THE WALL:
— FOX SPORTS News (@FOXSportsNews) November 12, 2016
Rafael Marquez scores in stoppage time as 10-man Mexico defeat USA 2-1 in World Cup Qualifying #WCQ2018 pic.twitter.com/6VuTOxmung
The Americans play Tuesday at Costa Rica, where is has never won in qualifying, in the second of its 10 games in the round. Mexico hosts Panama. With the U.S. struggling early in a 3-5-2 formation, Mexico could have led 3-0. Howard tipped Jesus Corona’s 10th-minute shot off a post and Carlos Vela’s 25th- minute header hit a crossbar.
After switching to a more familiar 4-4-2 formation in the 27th minute, the Americans began to find their rhythm, and Wood scored off a pass from Jozy Altidore.
It was 44 degrees at game time, half the 90-degree temperature for the 2013 match in Columbus, when the U.S. clinched its seventh straight World Cup berth. A pro-American crowd of 24,650 chanted “Dos a cero!” at the start, but Mexican supporters yelled “Dos a uno!” as they left.
Mexico went ahead after Michael Bradley and Giovani dos Santos battled for the ball 30 yards out. The ball skipped to Layun, who took a touch, and his right- footed shot deflected off Timmy Chandler and in to Howard’s left for his fourth international goal in 46 appearances, Wood tied the score after John Brooks forced a turnover. Jozy Altidore turned his defender and passed to Wood, who took two touches as he split defenders. His 8-yard, left-footed shot deflected off a leg of Layun for his eighth goal in 28 international appearances. Wood also scored against Mexico last fall during an extra-time loss in the playoff for a berth in the 2017 Confederations Cup. Altidore and Wood have combined for seven goals in 11 games they’ve started together.
Notes: All three visiting teams had victories in their openers. Costa Rica won 2-0 at Trinidad and Tobago on goals by Christian Bolanos in the 65th and Ronald Matarrita in second-half injury time, and Panama won 1-0 at Honduras on Fidel Escobar’s 22nd-minute goal. ... CONCACAF and Fox extended their Gold Cup agreement to cover the 2017 and 2019 tournaments.
Mexico took home a 2-1 win against the USA unit.Source:AFP
— with AP
