In an international friendly match between Mexico and Ghana, El Tri secured a convincing 2-0 victory, thanks to second-half goals from “Chucky” Lozano and substitute Uriel Antuna. This win took Mexico’s record to 5-2-1 under the leadership of coach Jimmy Lozano.
The match began with a shaky start, featuring forced passes and a few turnovers from both sides. However, Team Mexico gradually gained control, ending the first half with 56% possession. Although neither team managed to take a shot on goal, El Tri displayed more composure and posed a greater threat.
The breakthrough came just 12 minutes into the second half when Luis Chávez delivered a quick free-kick to “Chucky” Lozano. The PSV player expertly dribbled into the box, evading a defender and beating the goalkeeper with a precise shot inside the near post.
After taking the lead, El Tri adopted a more defensive approach, looking for opportunities to counter-attack. They came close to scoring on two occasions, with Uriel Antuna finally capitalizing on Ghana’s lapse in concentration, netting a well-placed shot with his left foot just nine minutes after stepping onto the pitch.
With less than 20 minutes remaining, Mexico had a comfortable 2-0 lead, and they focused on maintaining their advantage, allowing captain Guillermo Ochoa to keep a clean sheet.
Coach Lozano commended his team’s defensive performance, emphasizing their positional discipline, double-teaming to neutralize Ghana’s speed, and maintaining excellent spacing. Under the relentless pressure from Mexico, Ghana couldn’t muster a single shot on target, managing only four attempts during the entire 90 minutes. As a result, Ghana’s record against Mexico fell to 0-0-4.
Three standout performers of the match were:
- Edson Álvarez: The West Ham midfielder controlled the space in front of the defensive line and diligently marked any Ghana player who ventured into his territory. He also came close to scoring in the first half but narrowly missed the target.
- The Entire El Tri Back Line: Gerardo Arteaga, Johan Vásquez, César Montes, and Jorge Sánchez formed a formidable defense that coordinated well, closed down passing lanes, and controlled the tempo of the game effectively. Special mention goes to Arteaga, who displayed smooth and confident play.
- César Huerta: The Pumas winger made a significant impact coming off the bench, demonstrating excellent ball control and assisting in Mexico’s second goal, securing a well-deserved spot on the scoresheet.
This friendly match showcased the strength of the Mexican team, both in defense and attack, while Ghana faced challenges in breaking through Mexico’s solid defensive structure. It was a successful outing for El Tri, indicating a promising future under Coach Jimmy Lozano’s guidance.
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