SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Colombia scored three objectives within the second half to rally previous World Cup-bound Mexico 3-2 in a Tuesday evening exhibition match.
Backed by a pro-Mexico crowd of 67,311 at Levi’s Stadium, El Tri initially made an immediate influence with a objective from Alexis Vega off a penalty within the sixth minute. Mexico continued their stress going, with Vega creating a fast and intelligent play for Gerardo Arteaga, who scored to place Mexico up 2-0 by the twenty ninth minute.
Instantly after halftime, the South Individuals — who did not qualify for the World Cup — equalized the sport on objectives from Luis Sinisterra within the forty ninth minute and 52nd minute. Then, within the 68th, Wilmar Barrios knocked in a golazo to offer Colombia the sport winner.
Following a earlier 1-0 victory over Peru final Saturday, Mexico — lacking a number of star gamers attributable to accidents — end up this spherical of pre-World Cup preparation on a bitter notice. They will have two November friendlies — in opposition to Iraq and Sweden — earlier than their Group C opener in opposition to Poland on Nov. 22 in Qatar.
JUMP TO: Participant scores | Greatest/worst performers | Highlights and notable moments | Submit-match quotes | Key stats | Upcoming fixtures
Speedy Response
1. Ugly evening for Mexico and Martino, on discipline and off
It took simply minutes after halftime for Mexico supervisor Gerardo “Tata” Martino and his roster to be overwhelmed by Colombia.
Confidence was excessive with a 2-0 lead after the break, however Mexico’s inexperienced fullbacks Gerardo Arteaga (regardless of his first-half objective) and Kevin Alvarez left area on the flanks and have been uncovered by Colombia’s attackers, which noticed Luis Sinisterra to bag a brace in a span of three minutes.
Martino’s alterations did not appear to have a lot impact as he selected inopportune moments to substitute gamers. Colombia had no bother claiming a 3rd objective because of Wilmar Barrios and successful the ball again in essential areas, irritating Mexico because the match made its method to the 3-2 outcome. Tactically outmaneuvered, it was one of many extra dismal ends to a sport for Martino.
Off the sphere, issues have been even worse for Mexico. Whereas fights broke out within the stands, so did the anti-gay goalkeeper chant that was loudly heard at the very least 3 times late into the second half, main at one level to the sport being paused by officiating.
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2. Story of two halves for Mexico
There was loads of good and dangerous on show for Mexico. Let’s begin with the nice. Within the first phases of the sport, El Tri‘s frontline was dynamic with Alexis Vega and Uriel Antuna main the best way via fast passes within the remaining third. Alongside them up prime, striker Henry Martin labored flawlessly with the frontline.
It was, for the primary time in months, genuinely enjoyable to look at them fluidly transfer the ball with creativity within the remaining third. Within the midfield, Mexico additionally held sturdy and shut down various counters and crosses that Colombia tried to throw at them.
After which the second half began.
Pouncing on El Tri‘s inexperienced fullbacks, Colombia chased area down the flanks and shortly overran Mexico’s protection. Alvarez and Arteaga seemed misplaced as they have been chasing balls, with little assist from central defenders Hector Moreno and Nestor Araujo.
As talked about earlier, Martino’s adjustments have been questionable and ineffective, virtually seeming to throw the kitchen sink onto the pitch as an alternative of making a extra cohesive gameplan. There was a way of chaos on the sphere for Mexico, determined to attain however not having linked traces or sufficient morale to get the job finished.
3. Future is shiny for Colombia
Although Colombia might not be going to the World Cup, there was loads of big-game expertise in Nestor Lorenzo’s beginning XI, together with key veterans Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez, Juan Cuadrado, and David Ospina.
However undoubtedly the surprising hero of the evening was Luis Sinisterra — who wanted seven minutes to attain twice after stepping on at halftime. The 23-year-old Leeds United ahead sparked the comeback with a towering header, adopted by a shot that took a lucky bounce off a defender and previous Guillermo Ochoa.
Lorenzo labored as an assistant in three World Cups — 2006 for Argentina and 2014 and 2018 for Colombia — and was employed in June to get Colombia again in rivalry for a spot on the 2026 World Cup. With younger expertise like Sinisterra and Luis Diaz on the rise, he already appears forward of schedule.
Participant scores
Mexico: Guillermo Ochoa 5, Kevin Alvarez 4, Nestor Araujo 4, Hector Moreno 5, Gerardo Arteaga 5, Erick Gutierrez 6, Andres Guardado 5, Carlos Rodriguez 6, Alexis Vega 8, Henry Martin 7, Uriel Antuna 7.
Subs: Erick Sanchez 6, Santiago Gimenez 6, Luis Chavez 7, Cesar Montes 6, Diego Lainez 7, Orbelin Pineda 6.
Colombia: David Ospina 5, Stefan Medina 6, Davinson Sanchez 6, Carlos Cuesta 7, Frank Fabra 6, Wilmar Barrios 8, Steven Alzate 6, James Rodriguez 6, Juan Cuadrado 8, Luis Diaz 7, Radamel Falcao 6.
Subs: Rafael Borre 7, Jorge Carrascal 7, Luis Sinisterra 9, Jhon Lucumi 6, Jefferson Lerma 6, Jhon Duran 6.
Greatest and worst performers
BEST: Luis Sinisterra, Colombia.
Seemingly out of nowhere, the 23-year-old stepped as much as discover the again of the online twice inside 4 minutes. A future star for each Colombia and Leeds United.
WORST: Kevin Alvarez, Mexico.
It is likely to be unfair to criticize the promising 23-year-old who needed to take care of a world-class attacking participant like Juan Cuadrado, however Alvarez was by far the weak hyperlink. He has loads of potential however a beginning position won’t be the best transfer for him but.
Highlights and notable moments
There have been some nice objectives tonight, however Barrios’ was the icing on the cake along with his unbelievable effort from outdoors of the field.
🔥⚽🇨🇴 ¡Gooool de @FCFSeleccionCol!
🔥⚽🇨🇴 ¡Gooool de @FCFSeleccionCol!
🔥⚽🇨🇴 ¡Gooool de @FCFSeleccionCol!Golazo fantástico de Wilmar Barrios 😍😍😍
🔴 ¡EN VIVO! https://t.co/tijoca5zR7
📲🔗 TUDN, @univision, https://t.co/T8lpgqtF3M, app #CaminoAQatar pic.twitter.com/jlHARkfyB5
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) September 28, 2022
After the match:
Mexico captain Andres Guardado to TUDN after the loss: “Higher that it occurs to us now, we’re studying …This serves us as a lesson for the World Cup so we will arrive higher ready.”
Mexico coach Gerardo Martino on Colombia’s expertise: “There are moments in a match when the hierarchy and high quality of the rival gamers shall be proven on the pitch. It’s in these moments that now we have to be taught to endure and know how one can carry via.”
Key stats (supplied by ESPN Stats & Data)
– A notable achievement for Mexico captain Andres Guardado, whose 177 caps ties him with Claudio Suarez for many ever in an El Tri jersey.
– Historical past repeated itself on Tuesday. The final time Mexico misplaced a sport wherein it led by two objectives was on Jan. 31, 2001… that was a 3-2 loss to Colombia.
– Issues are wanting shiny for Nestor Lorenzo’s facet. Colombia have gained 5 straight matches for first time since 2019.
Up subsequent
Mexico: Two friendlies within the Spanish city of Girona are scheduled in November, in opposition to Iraq on Nov. 9 and Sweden on Nov. 16. Then it is the large present: World Cup group stage motion in opposition to Poland (Nov. 22), Saudi Arabia (Nov. 26), and Argentina (Nov. 30).
Colombia: No upcoming matches are scheduled.
