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Men's National Football

Controversial Penalty Sends Mexico to 2019 Gold Cup Final with Win vs. Haiti

Jul 3, 2019
GLENDALE, AZ - JULY 02: Raul Jimenez of Mexico during the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup Semi Final between Haiti and Mexico at State Farm Stadium on July 2, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - JULY 02: Raul Jimenez of Mexico during the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup Semi Final between Haiti and Mexico at State Farm Stadium on July 2, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)

For the second game in a row, Mexico was taken to extra time in the 2019 Gold Cup.

And for the second time in a row, Mexico outlasted its opponent—this time defeating Haiti 1-0 Tuesday night in the semifinal match at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Mexico had held the lion's share of possession and scoring chances throughout regulation but lacked precision in the final third, which allowed Haiti to bend but not break. However, just as soon as extra time kicked off, Haiti's Herve Bazile conceded a penalty in the box.

El Tri's No. 9 Raul Jimenez stepped up to the spot and buried the game-winner in the 93rd minute.

Haiti managed to create one more promising chance in the 119th minute, but Mikael Cantave hit the crossbar.

There were varying opinions over whether the decisive foul was worthy of a penalty kick, but with video assistant referee not present at this year's Gold Cup, the call stood pat.

Mexico head coach Tata Martino, who was suspended for the semifinal due to yellow-card accumulation, voiced his displeasure about the officiating this far in the tournament.

"The officiating was bad, what else can I say?" the first-year head coach told reporters in regard to Mexico's win over Costa Rica in the quarterfinals, in which 11 yellow cards were handed out—including one to him—and a controversial penalty kick was awarded to Costa Rica.

Martino continued: "It is impossible with the technology there is today and with VAR used in Mexico and in the United States that there isn't VAR in this tournament. In the Copa America they stop the game 200 times for VAR, they've pulled back four goals because of VAR, and we don't have VAR."

Ironically, the absence of VAR very well could be the reason Martino's side is through to the final and still able to vie for Mexico's eighth Gold Cup championship.

Entering Tuesday, Haiti had won all of its last eight competitive matches. This Gold Cup run marked a substantial step forward for the Haitian program, as the country topped its first Gold Cup group and advanced to its first semifinal after upsetting Canada.

However, it will take a while for Haiti to get over losing in such a heartbreaking way after handling Mexico so well for the bulk of the match. Haiti goalkeeper Johnny Placide stood out despite letting in the game-winner, withstanding 27 shots and saving five shots on goal.

Mexico's relatively tame performance against Haiti spelled out the same as its tame performance against Costa Rica on Saturday: It is beatable. Even with the game in this bag, Mexico's Luis Montes sent the ball sailing over an open goal to illustrate the team's Achilles' heel.

Either Jamaica or the United States has a shot at unseating the tournament's perennial favorite.

Jamaica and the U.S. will battle it out Wednesday at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, to determine which side will advance to the final against Mexico on Sunday.

Jamaica defeated Mexico 1-0 in the semifinal round of the 2017 Gold Cup, while the U.S. last defeated El Tri in an international friendly back in September also by a score of 1-0.

Mexico Beats Costa Rica on Penalties to Advance to 2019 Gold Cup Semifinals

Jun 30, 2019
HOUSTON, TX - JUNE 29: Guillermo Ochoa of Mexico celebrates after Raul Jimenez of Mexico scored a goal to make it 1-0 during the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarter Final match between Mexico v Costa Rica at NRG Stadium on June 29, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - JUNE 29: Guillermo Ochoa of Mexico celebrates after Raul Jimenez of Mexico scored a goal to make it 1-0 during the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarter Final match between Mexico v Costa Rica at NRG Stadium on June 29, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)

Mexico is on to the 2019 Gold Cup semifinals after knocking out Costa Rica 1-1 (5-4) in the quarterfinal round Saturday night before 70,788 fans at NRG Stadium in Houston.

The tight matchup needed extra time and then a penalty-kick shootout to determine a winner. The two sides were still knotted after the initial five rounds, which meant sudden death. It was there that Carlos Salcedo made his attempt, but Costa Rica's Keysher Fuller was blocked by Mexican goalkeeper and captain Guillermo Ochoa.

It's an especially sweet victory for El Tri, as there was controversy surrounding the Costa Rica equalizer that came on a penalty kick and necessitated extra time in the first place.

Costa Rica earned a penalty kick in the 50th minute when Luis Rodriguez tripped Joel Campbell from behind. Bryan Ruiz took the penalty in the 52nd and snuck the equalizer past Ochoa.

However, Fox Sports 1 rules analyst Joe Machnik disputed the ruling on the broadcast.

"I believe it's a foul," Machnik said, "but I believe the contact is outside of the penalty area—first contact—and only if we had [video assistant referee] would we see all the angles that would've perhaps given us the best opportunity to be 100 percent sure that was a clear and obvious error."

There is no VAR in this year's Gold Cup.

Mexico opened up a 1-0 lead just before halftime in the 44th minute when Raul Jimenez collected a cross from Rodolfo Pizarro in the middle of the box and kept with the ball after Oscar Duarte blocked his initial shot.

The goal marked Jimenez's fourth of the tournament, which tied him with Uriel Antuna for the club lead.

The game was defined as much by back-and-forth chances as yellow cards. There were 11 total yellow cards handed out by the official, including one apiece for Costa Rica head coach Gustavo Matosas and Mexico head coach Tata Martino.

Martino's yellow card was his second of the tournament and resulted in the rookie head coach being suspended for El Tri's semifinal match against Haiti.

While Haiti still has a daunting task ahead of it in it first-ever Gold Cup semifinals appearance, Mexico showed vulnerability against a scrappy Los Ticos squad and gave the Haitians a blueprint to work with.

This match marked the first time in eight games under Martino that El Tri scored fewer than three goals. Not to mention the fact that an already-depleted Mexico side will be without Martino on the sideline.

Mexico is still the favorite to win its eighth Gold Cup championship, but this particular team is weaker than past Mexican rosters.

Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, Hector Herrera, Carlos Vela, Hector Moreno, Hirving Lozano, Jorge Sanchez and Jesus "Tecatito" Corona are among star players absent from Martino's Gold Cup roster for various reasons.

If there were a year to pounce on Mexico, it's this one.

If there were ever an underdog to get the job done, it's the Haitians—fresh off their first Gold Cup group win and upsetting Canada 3-2 in the quarterfinals.

It won't be easy to knock off Mexico, but Costa Rica proved it's possible outside of Ochoa's heroics.

     

What's Next?

Mexico will face off with Haiti on Tuesday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Raul Jimenez, Mexico Beat Martinique to Win Group A in 2019 Gold Cup

Jun 23, 2019
CHARLOTTE, NC - JUNE 23: Uriel Antuna of Mexico celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 0-1 during the Group A 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup match between Martinique v Mexico at Bank of America Stadium on June 23, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - JUNE 23: Uriel Antuna of Mexico celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 0-1 during the Group A 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup match between Martinique v Mexico at Bank of America Stadium on June 23, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)

Mexico took care of business in its final match of group play at the 2019 Gold Cup with a 3-2 victory over Martinique at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sunday.

El Tri entered the match unbeaten in pool play, having already recorded a 7-0 victory over Cuba and a 3-1 victory over Canada. With Canada's 7-0 defeat of Cuba earlier in the day, Mexico entered its match against Martinique with the ability to clinch Group A with either a win or a draw.

Below is a look at the latest Gold Cup action.

     

Group A Standings

Mexico 3-0-0, 9 pts, +10 goal differential

Canada 2-0-1, 6 pts, +9 goal differential

Martinique 1-0-2, 3 pts, -2 goal differential

Cuba 0-0-3, 0 pts, -17 goal differential

     

Mexico got the points it needed to win Group A, but Martinique proved to be a formidable foe as it provided a tough test.

El Tri controlled play for much of the night, though it wasn't until the 29th minute that they were able to get on the board. Uriel Antuna opened the scoring by putting a shot through a defender's legs and sneaking it past Martinique keeper Loic Chauvet on the near post:

It marked Antuna's fourth goal of the tournament. He previously notched a hat trick in his team's Gold Cup opener against Cuba on June 15 after being named to the roster as an injury replacement the day before the team opened tournament play.

Raul Jimenez nearly pushed the lead to two in the 44th minute, but Chauvet came up with a spectacular save to keep it a one-goal game heading into the break.

That save would loom large, as Martinique refused to go away quietly. Kevin Parsemain evened the score for Martinique with a sensational free kick from just beyond the box in the 56th minute:

But it would not remain tied for long.

After being denied earlier, Jimenez put El Tri back on top in the 61st minute by beating Chauvet with a tap-in:

Fernando Navarro would provide Mexico with some cushion room with a goal in the 72nd:

That goal proved important, as Martinique would get one back late:

Ultimately, El Tri managed to hold on for the victory. With that, their quest for a record eighth Gold Cup title remains alive as they are on to the knockout stage.

Mexico have won three of the last five tournaments, though their last crown came back in 2015. They were knocked out in the semifinals back in 2017.

     

What's Next?

Mexico advances to the quarterfinals, where they will face the runner-up of Group B (either Costa Rica or Haiti, who will play on Monday to decide Group B). Martinique has been eliminated from the tournament.

Andres Guardado's Brace Leads Mexico Past Canada 3-1 at 2019 Gold Cup

Jun 20, 2019

Mexico sits atop Group A at the 2019 Gold Cup following its 3-1 victory over Canada on Wednesday at Broncos Stadium at Mile High in Denver.

El Tri have six points through two games after handling Cuba with ease in a 7-0 win in their opener before they continued their dominance over Canada at this event. Mexico is 4-1 in its Gold Cup history against the Canadians, with its only loss coming in 2000.

Roberto Alvarado opened the scoring for Mexico, and Andres Guardado—who came on as an injury replacement—scored the second two goals for the victors. Lucas Cavallini was the only one on Canada's team to beat veteran goaltender Guillermo Ochoa.

Mexico wasted little time establishing itself as the better team.

It dictated play in the first half with a commanding 72 percent of possession and 12 shots to Canada's four. It created far more chances and kept play on Canada's side of the field, and it is a credit to Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan that Mexico didn't break through until the 40th minute.

El Tri's first goal fittingly came after Borjan made an excellent diving save to preserve the scoreless tie, and Alvarado buried the rebound with a left-footed shot into the open net.

That it was only 1-0 at the half was a moral victory for Canada considering Mexico scored four goals in the first half of its opening game and just missed a handful of chances Wednesday. The Canadians got an opportunity to earn at least a point with one moment down the stretch.

They almost capitalized on that chance when Alphonso Davies went against two defenders on the left side of the box and unleashed a shot from a challenging angle, but he just missed the back of the net.

The miss proved costly, as Guardado gave El Tri some critical breathing room when he intercepted a pass in open space, took two dribbles and ripped the shot of the match from outside the box.

Borjan never had a chance on the highlight-reel play, although his leaping save on a header off a corner kick a few minutes later kept his team within striking distance and created some temporary drama when Canada scored.

Nestor Araujo turned the ball over in his own territory in a moment of carelessness, and Davies found Cavallini on the break for Canada's breakthrough moment.

The momentum was short-lived, though, as Guardado drilled home his second goal of the game two minutes later.

It should be a sign of things to come for Mexico's team after its two early showings in this tournament. The same Canadians that El Tri just dispatched had no trouble with Martinique, which is next on Mexico's schedule.

While a potential matchup with the rival United States looms in the later stages, the Mexico that was on display through two games in Group A is on the shortest of short lists for teams that can take home the Gold Cup championship.

           

What's Next?

Both teams are in action again Sunday with Canada facing Cuba and Mexico playing Martinique.

Mexico vs. Canada: Odds, Live Stream, TV Schedule for 2019 Gold Cup

Jun 18, 2019
PASADENA, CA - JUNE 15: Uriel Atuna #22 of Mexico celebrates his hat trick during the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group A match between Mexico and Cuba at the Rose Bowl on June 15, 2019 in Pasadena, California. Mexico won the match 7-0 (Photo: Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JUNE 15: Uriel Atuna #22 of Mexico celebrates his hat trick during the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group A match between Mexico and Cuba at the Rose Bowl on June 15, 2019 in Pasadena, California. Mexico won the match 7-0 (Photo: Shaun Clark/Getty Images)

Mexico and Canada will face off for supremacy in Group A at the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup on Wednesday at the Mile High Stadium in Denver.

The two sides are a cut above their opponents in the group, Martinique and Cuba.

Canada eased to a 4-0 win over the former in their first match, while Mexico thrashed the latter 7-0.

                               

Date: Wednesday, June 19

Time: 10:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. local, 3:30 a.m. BST Thursday)

TV: Fox Sports 1 (USA), FreeSports (UK)

Live Stream: Fox Sports GO (USA), Premier Player (UK)

Odds: Mexico (3-13), Draw (11-2), Canada (14-1)

Odds courtesy of Oddschecker.

                 

Mexico are without the likes of Javier Hernandez, Carlos Vela and Hirving Lozano from their attacking options at this year's tournament, but that didn't stop them running riot against Cuba on Saturday.

Uriel Antuna scored his first three senior goals for El Tri, while Raul Jimenez netted a brace. Diego Reyes and Alexis Vega also got on the scoresheet (U.S. only):

Football writer Cesar Hernandez was impressed with Mexico's performance:

Canada were similarly strong, if not quite as clinical.

Jonathan David, 19, scored either side of half-time before Junior Hoilett and Scott Arfield each found the net.

Les Rouges could meet Mexico for a second time in the tournament if both teams reach the semi-finals, and manager John Herdman said he has a "plan in mind" ahead of Wednesday's meeting, per MLS Soccer's Scott French.

"We'll probably see the Mexicans, if it goes to plan, late in the tournament," he said. "So how much we want to show them in this first game is also something to keep consideration."

BR Video

Canada have not beaten Mexico since the quarter-finals of the 2000 Gold Cup, on their way to winning the tournament.

El Tri have scored 20 goals in five matches since manager Gerardo Martino took charge, so despite missing several important players, their attack might be too much for Canada to handle.

Mexico vs. Cuba: Odds, Live Stream, TV Schedule for 2019 Gold Cup

Jun 14, 2019
ARLINGTON, TX - JUNE 09: Luis Montes, Jonathan dos Santos and Orbelin Pineda of Mexico celebrate during an international friendly match between Ecuador and Mexico at AT&T Stadium on June 9, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - JUNE 09: Luis Montes, Jonathan dos Santos and Orbelin Pineda of Mexico celebrate during an international friendly match between Ecuador and Mexico at AT&T Stadium on June 9, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)

Favourites Mexico kick off their 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign with their opening Group A clash against Cuba at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Saturday.

El Tri are the most successful side in the tournament's history with seven titles, but they only made the semi-finals as defending champions two years ago.

This summer, they will be aiming to get back to the final to fight for an eighth Gold Cup, and they will be confident of making a winning start against a Cuba side 156 places below them in the FIFA rankings.

                      

Date: Saturday, June 15

Time: 7 p.m. local, 10 p.m. ET, 3 a.m. BST (Sunday)

TV Info: Fox Sports 2 (U.S.), FreeSports (UK)

Live Stream: Fox Sports Go

Match Odds (via Oddschecker): Mexico 1-33, Cuba 33-1, Draw 14-1

                                      

Cuba have enjoyed some success at Gold Cups in the past, reaching the quarter-final stages in 2003, 2013 and 2015.

After failing to qualify for the 2017 edition, though, they could not have asked for a tougher reintroduction to the tournament than a clash with Mexico.

El Tri are missing some of their best players. Experienced trio Hector Herrera, Javier Hernandez and Carlos Vela all asked not to be involved, while PSV Eindhoven forward Hirving Lozano is absent through injury:

Mexico still boast a strong squad, though, and Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Jonathan dos Santos has been excellent in Major League Soccer recently:

And striker Raul Jimenez is fresh from a superb debut season in the Premier League with Wolverhampton Wanderers:

Perhaps Mexico's biggest asset is their coach, Gerardo Martino. Appointed in January, the former Barcelona boss has overseen four consecutive wins in preparation for the Gold Cup.

The 56-year-old has a fine reputation as an international manager. He led Paraguay to the Copa America final in 2011 and then repeated the trick with Argentina in 2015 and 2016.

On all three occasions, his side finished runners-up, but Martino is a man who knows how to guide a side through tournament football. And with Mexico, he has arguably the best squad at the 2019 Gold Cup.

Saturday's opener should be a routine victory for El Tri, but there are always nerves and teething problems in early group-stage matches.

What Martino will be looking for against Cuba is a comfortable win that Mexico can use to build on as they aim to go all the way in the tournament.

Luis Rodriguez, Mexico Beat Ecuador 3-2 in Final Friendly Before Gold Cup

Jun 9, 2019

Mexico defeated Ecuador 3-2 in an international friendly Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The result adds to what is now a four-match winning streak for El Tri. Luis Rodriguez scored the decisive goal in the 77th minute, and Jonathan dos Santos and Luis Montes also found the back of the net in the victory.

Rodriguez struck a right-footed volley that narrowly beat Maximo Banguera at the near post.

Mexico coach Tata Martino inherited a tough situation when he replaced Juan Carlos Osorio in January. El Tri advanced out of the group at the 2018 World Cup but then lost convincingly to Brazil. Then came friendly defeats to Uruguay, the United States, Chile and Argentina.

BR Video

Although Mexico remains a work in progress with Martino on the job for only six months, he's building the squad in his image. According to ESPN FC, El Tri finished the victory over Ecuador with 60 percent of possession and six shots on target.

Dos Santos drew first blood in the 28th minute with a curling effort that eluded Banguera from outside the 18-yard box.

Mexico's one-goal lead held for the remainder of the first half but didn't last long into the second before Angel Mena got some help from Cesar Montes.

Montes was part of Mexico's wall defending the free kick, and he got a head on Mena's delivery, which wrong-footed Guillermo Ochoa in goal.

Luis Montes came to the rescue in the 63rd minute with a free kick of his own. Despite being just on the edge of the box, the Leon midfielder somehow curled his kick around the wall and into the near post.

Yet again, though, a set piece harmed Mexico.

Mena's corner found Ayrton Preciado, who headed home from close range.

National team coaches always face a delicate balance in the buildup to major tournaments. They want to make sure their players are properly prepared and have built a level of cohesion on the pitch. At the same time, the last thing a team needs is to see a potential starter go down with an injury.

BR Video

That's exactly what happened to Mexico in the first half when Hector Moreno made way for Carlos Salcedo. Moreno exited under his own power, so perhaps his injury is only minor.

But with Hector Herrera bowing out of the Gold Cup for health reasons and Hirving Lozano out as well with an MCL injury, questions over Moreno's status overshadowed Sunday's friendly to some extent.

         

What's Next?

Sunday's friendly was the final step in pre-tournament preparations for both sides. Mexico opens the 2019 Gold Cup on Saturday against Cuba. Ecuador will play Uruguay on June 16 in its first match of the 2019 Copa America.

Mexico Advance to 2019 Toulon Tournament Semi-Final with Win vs. China PR

Jun 9, 2019
Mexico midfielder Erick Aguirre (16) plays against the United States during an international friendly match Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Mexico midfielder Erick Aguirre (16) plays against the United States during an international friendly match Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Mexico reached the semi-final of the 2019 Tournoi Maurice Revello after a 1-0 win over China PR in France on Sunday. A goal from midfielder Paolo Yrizar helped El Tri see off head coach Guus Hiddink's defensive team and advance from Group C. 

The result means Mexico now join Ireland, who beat Bahrain earlier in the day, in the last four at the Toulon event along with Brazil and Japan.

Mexico did most of the running and created the better chances during the first half. Ian Torres went close, while Yrizar saw an attempt from close range blocked.

Erick Aguirre and Joaquin Esquivel were pulling the strings creatively for El Tri. The latter's long passes into the channels were finding the raiding runs of enterprising full-back Alan Mozo.

While the 22-year-old couldn't find the right final ball, his pace and energy on the overlap continued to cause China a host of problems.

Despite dominating proceedings, Mexico still needed goalkeeper Jose Hernandez to produce a superb stop after 26 minutes to deny Chen Binbin.

The half may have ended goalless, but there was no shortage of entertainment for onlookers:

It took nearly 15 minutes after the restart for Mexico's breakthrough to come. A flowing, one- and two-touch move ended with Yrizar getting the final touch to nudge the ball over the line.

Mexico should have been two up moments later when Mozo broke clear once again. However (and not for the first time), his cross couldn't find a free man.

El Tri were posing a considerable threat on the break, with Francisco Cordova taking control of midfield and splitting the China defence with several through passes. Yrizar was often on the end of those passes, but his timing was off, prompting use of the linesman's offside flag.

China's response was to rarely deviate from the rigid defensive shape installed by Hiddink, but a rare foray forward from Lei Wenjie should have yielded a goal nine minutes from time.

Ultimately though, Hiddink's players hadn't shown enough endeavour to merit making it through to the next phase.

Mexico Settles for Draw vs. Ireland in 2019 Toulon Tournament

Jun 6, 2019

Ireland and Mexico played out a 0-0 draw in Group C at the 2019 Tournoi Maurice Revello on Thursday. The goalless stalemate in France means Ireland stay top, while El Tri are second and level on points at the Toulon event.

Mexico were left to rely on goalkeeper Jose Hernandez more than once to keep Ireland's direct approach at bay. Simon Power and Connor Ronan were causing plenty of problems with their pace and power.

While Ireland were content to bombard El Tri with long balls and stretch their width, Mexico countered with technique and fluency in possession. Erick Aguirre shouldered the creative burden between the midfield and forward lines, while Joaquin Esquivel conducted play from deep.

Pachuca schemer Aguirre was getting on the ball often, but Ireland were disciplined enough to block off his through passes. West Ham United midfield anchor Conor Coventry was shielding the back four brilliantly and tracking Mexico's runs from out to in.

Neither side yielded much space in behind, which meant the first half ended goalless.

Mexico opened things up after the restart, with Ian Torres causing problems. The Atlas winger tied defenders in knots on the right flank and consistently picked the right option.

It didn't help that striker Jesus Godinez was struggling to impose himself. Instead, Ireland centre-backs Conor Masterson and Dara O'Shea were able to bully the Guadalajara forward in the air.

Godinez was saved further punishment when he made way for Eduardo Aguirre with 20 minutes remaining.

The change didn't do much to alter Mexico's fluency going forward. While Ek Tri continued to toil in attacking areas, Adam Idah came close to winning it for Ireland when he headed narrowly wide after being picked out by a Ronan corner.

Jayson Molumby wasted another excellent chance for the group leaders, but a point was ultimately all either side deserved from a dour match where neither showed off their true attacking potential.

       

What's Next?

Ireland face Bahrain on Sunday, with Mexico in action against China later the same day.

Mexico Grabs Easy Win vs. Venezuela in Gold Cup Warm-Up

Jun 5, 2019

Roberto Alvarado, Rodolfo Pizarro and Andres Guardado each scored as Mexico defeated Venezuela 3-1 in an international friendly at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Wednesday.

El Tri outshot Venezuela 16-11 and had seven shots on goal to Venezuela's four. Mexico controlled possession for 58 percent of the match.

Jhon Murillo scored the lone Venezuelan goal to initially put his side up 1-0 at the 18th minute. Alvarado put home the equalizer in the 32nd before Pizarro scored the go-ahead goal in the 54th.

Murillo's goal was a happy accident at first glance. It seemed as though he was looking for a cross, but the pass found its way into the net behind goaltender Jonathan Orozco:

Regardless of the intent, it was a fantastic goal. Doug Roberson of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution was impressed:

And the same goes for Sports Illustrated's Luis Miguel Echegaray:

https://twitter.com/lmechegaray/status/1136443470653153280

Venezuela could not rest easy, however, as sloppy defense led to an Alvarado shot on an open net. The ball went just wide:

Undeterred, Alvarado kept the pressure high, this time coming close on a shot that went wide left:

An Alvardo breakthrough seemed inevitable given his ability to put constant pressure on Venezuela, plus his opponent's sloppy defense. That happened in the 32nd minute when a failed clear led to his first international goal:

Tom Marshall of ESPN FC noted how Mexico deserved the goal after some excellent efforts:

Mexico kept Venezuela on its heels after halftime:

And the inevitable occurred shortly thereafter when Pizarro put home a pass from Jesus Gallardo:

The goal was fortuitous: Soccer writer Cesar Hernandez pointed out that Pizarro was about to head off for a substitute:

Mexico kept its foot on the gas with two point-blank shots in the 63rd minute: a header from Raul Jimenez and a right-footed shot via Nestor Araujo:

Neither connected, but Mexico cruised to the finish line from there minus one brief scare.

That came courtesy of Juanpi, who had a great chance at the equalizer with a shot from the center of the box at the 72nd minute. However, Orozco came through with the clutch save:

A few minutes later, Mexico delivered a backbreaking goal when a Uriel Antuna cross led to a Guardado shot:

The exuberant Atlanta crowd cheered loudly for Guardado, who now has 154 international caps for El Tri. Jon Arnold of Goal set the scene in Atlanta:

Atlanta United FC was apparently interested in bringing Guardado to the club a couple of years ago, but that did not come to fruition. However, he did excel in Atlanta if only for one night, scoring his goal after just eight minutes on the pitch following a substitution.

Venezuela did make one late charge to cut the advantage in half, but Orozco saved a Juanpi shot in the 89th minute.

Hernandez summed up the night well: Ultimately, it was an impressive win for Mexico given that the team was sans some bigger names.

What's Next?

The friendly served as a warm-up for Mexico and Venezuela before the Gold Cup and Copa America, respectively.

Both countries' opening matches will take place on Saturday, June 15. Mexico will face Cuba, and Venezuela will match up with Peru.

Per Oddschecker, Mexico is the favorite in the 16-team Gold Cup. Venezuela has far steeper odds in the 12-team Copa America, ranking anywhere from 25-1 to 40-1 to win outright.

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