Mexico cruised to a 4-zero victory over Iraq in an exhibition match as Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s side continues to gear up for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
Wednesday’s sport inside the Spanish metropolis of Girona started on a shiny word for Mexico that found the again of the on-line inside the fourth minute by way of a strike from Alexis Vega. After halftime, substitutes Uriel Antuna and Rogelio Funes Mori made a direct impression as quickly as they stepped onto the pitch, with Antuna offering an supreme move from the acceptable flank that Funes Mori then accomplished at shut-range to make it 2-zero by the forty eighth minute.
Then, inside the 67th, Jesus Gallardo pounced on a poor clearance from Iraq and despatched a shot into the again of the on-line, pushing El Tri as a lot as three-zero. Moments earlier than the closing whistle, Funes Mori obtained a penalty in damage time that arrange Antuna to understand from the spot inside the 92nd minute to cement the outcome.
Martino and his Mexico squad will proceed their World Cup preparation with one final nice in direction of Sweden on Nov. sixteen, additionally set to be held on the Estadi Montilivi. At Qatar, they’re going to face Poland (Nov. 22), Saudi Arabia (Nov. 26), and Argentina (Nov. 30) inside the group stage.
Positives
the plain constructive word was Mexico’s potential to understand 4 instances on Wednesday. Heading into the World Cup, Martino’s squad have had an fantastic deal of difficulties in 2022 with capitalizing on probabilities inside the closing third. of their latest outcome, they regarded like a means extra motivated staff.
“We have been decisive, which is one factor that we have lacked, ending performs very properly,” said Vega to TUDN after the 4-zero win.
Elsewhere, it was noteworthy to see spectacular performances from a handful of Martino’s common name-ups which have dealt with extreme criticism in latest months. Funes Mori and Gallardo, particularly, are typically slammed for his or her runs of type, however have been additionally undoubtedly sport-changers in direction of Iraq.
on the very least, the notion on these decisions and extra paid off on Wednesday — which is a lovely signal forward of the World Cup.
Negatives
The midfield regarded like a bit-in-progress. The starting trio of Hector Herrera, Carlos Rodriguez and Luis Chavez have been disjointed at instances and lacked creativity all by way of the major half.
Substitutions appeared to reawaken this sector of the sphere with the inclusions of Erick Sanchez and Luis Romo, however there was additionally no exact menace in direction of them from a terribly defensive Iraqi opposition.
ready for the final nice in direction of Sweden, it is going to be curious to see if Martino brings again his typical starting defensive midfielder, Edson Alvarez.
supervisor rating
Gerardo Martino, 7 — exterior of the midfield and the eyebrow-elevating dedication to place central defender Nestor Araujo at proper-again, there are solely a few complaints about Martino on Wednesday. Even when issues grew to become predictable with playmaking inside the major forty five minutes, the supervisor did a lovely job of altering his strategies that secured three goals inside the second half.
participant scores (1-10; 10 = best, gamers launched after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Alfredo Talavera, 7 — little or no work to do for Talavera, however he was efficient by way of the few moments he wished to return off his line and intervene.
DF Jesus Gallardo, 9 — Mexico‘s MOTM. An energetic night for the left-again that supplied a objective, assist and dangerous overlapping runs on the flank.
DF Hector Moreno, 7 — a reasonably straightforward outing for the captain that spent most of his time allotting lateral passes and the occasional prolonged ball.
DF Cesar Montes, 7 — The Monterrey defender labored properly with Moreno (his membership teammate) and was important with simply a few of his duels and clearances.
DF Nestor Araujo, 6 — Not his fault for being positioned in an unnatural place at proper-again, however Araujo regarded uncomfortable inside the spot. He made small enhancements as quickly as he moved shut to the center of protection.
MF Luis Chavez, 7 — a very good efficiency from the latest Liga MX champion that was extremely involved in playmaking. His reference to the the rest of the midfield, although, should be greater.
MF Hector Herrera, 6 — an important distributor, however additionally one which grew to become virtually too calculable and unimaginative collectively with his construct-up play. A mistake inside the major half almost value Mexico a objective as properly.
MF Carlos Rodriguez, 6 — Rodriguez was cautious on Wednesday and wished to do extra to justify a starting function. The midfielder at instances regarded misplaced inside the major half.
FW Alexis Vega, eight — A commendable sport from the winger that immediately scored inside the fourth minute and was additionally impactful and hazard-taking going forward.
FW Henry Martin, 6 — regardless of his sensible 2022 Apertura season with membership America, Martin has but to showcase the identical magic with Mexico after one other goalless outing.
FW Roberto Alvarado, 7 — Alvarado progressively grew to become extra involved inside the sport as time progressed, finally lofting the cross that led to the Gallardo objective.
Substitutions
FW Rogelio Funes Mori (Martin, forty five’), eight — Nothing extra that you simply can ask of the striker that bought here off the bench, scored after which obtained a penalty inside the dying moments of the nice.
FW Uriel Antuna (Vega, forty five’), 9 — Antuna was a catalyst inside the assault collectively with his assist for Funes Mori’s objective after which finally a properly-earned objective of his personal off a penalty inside the 92nd minute.
MF Erick Sanchez (Rodriguez, forty five’), 7 — A busy second half for the 23-12 months-outdated that lined an fantastic deal of floor inside the midfield and in addition with simply a few tackles. whether or not this shall be passable to cement a spot on this planet Cup is up inside the air.
MF Luis Romo (Herrera, forty five’), 7 — Romo emerged as a slight enchancment over Herrera as a defensive midfielder that linked up properly by way of his distribution.
DF Jesus Angulo (Chavez, forty five’), 6 — A quiet night for the defender that would have improved simply a few his duels, however was additionally frequently unbothered in his space of the pitch.
DF Kevin Alvarez (Moreno, forty five’), 7 — the acceptable-again was desirous to make a reputation for himself collectively with his pacey runs and in addition the move that helped create Antuna’s assist of the evening time.
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