The Mexican national team won the test match against Ghana with a commanding 2-0 score. Now the German national team awaits them in Philadelphia
After two games without a win, Mexico’s national team claimed a commanding 2-0 victory over Ghana in a test match in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday night. In a match that was unusually rough for a friendly, national coach Jaime Lozano’s team dominated for the entire 90 minutes and hardly allowed the Black Stars any chances.
Mexico with strong second half
After a first half that was short on chances but very competitive, the Central Americans stepped up their game in the second half and put Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi under pressure on several occasions. However, it took until the 57th minute before they made it 1-0: Hirving Lozano of Dutch side PSV Eindhoven cut inside from the left wing and his deflected low shot gave Ati Zigi no chance.
A little later, substitute Uriel Antuna had a great chance to extend the lead, but under heavy pressure from ex-Salzburg player Gideon Mensah, he put the ball just wide of the post (64th). Eight minutes later, Antuna did it better when, after a dream pass from Cesar Huerta, he tunnelled through the rushing Ati Zigi alone in front of the goal to make it 2-0.
El Tri then took some of the pace out of their own game and allowed Ghana some possession, but without losing control. Mohammed Kudus’ shot on the outside of the net in the 76th minute was the only action of note for the West Africans, who remained without a finish on Mexico keeper Guillermo Ochoa’s goal for the entire 90 minutes, apart from a header just over the bar by Arsenal’s Thomas Partey (17th).
Good memories of test match opponents Germany
Mexico, who have not lost a match since their Gold Cup triumph in July, have their next test match coming up next Wednesday. They will play the German national team in Philadelphia, who won their friendly match against the USA on Saturday with 3:1.
The two nations last met to open the group stage at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Mexico won the match 1-0, the German national team never recovered from that opening defeat and were eliminated after the preliminary round.
