Mexico: Successful Germany dress rehearsal against Ghana

Uriel Antuna celebrates his goal to make it 2-0 against Ghana.

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After two games without a win, Mexico’s national team achieved a confident 2-0 win in the friendly against Ghana in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sunday night. In a game 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 opportunities.

Mexico with a strong second half

After a very competitive first half with few chances, the Central Americans improved significantly in the second half and threatened Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi’s goal several times. Nevertheless, it took until the 57th minute before the score was 1-0: Hirving Lozano from the Dutch club PSV Eindhoven moved in from the left wing in the penalty area, 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 great pressure from ex-Salzburg player Gideon Mensah, he put the ball just next to the post into the side netting (64′). Eight minutes later, Antuna did better when, after a dream pass from Cesar Huerta, he tunneled past Ati Zigi, who was rushing out, to make it 2-0.

As a result, El Tri took a little tempo out of their own game and allowed Ghana some possession of the ball, but without losing control. Mohammed Kudus’ shot into the side netting in the 76th minute was, along with a header from Arsenal’s Thomas Partey just over the crossbar (17th), the only notable action by the West Africans, who went the entire 90 minutes without a shot at Mexico keeper Guillermo’s goal Ochoa stayed.

Good memories of friendly opponents Germany

Mexico, who have not lost a game since triumphing in the Gold Cup in July, will play their next friendly next Wednesday. Then it’s in Philadelphia against the German national team, who won their friendly match against the USA 3-1 on Saturday.

The two nations last met at the start of the group phase at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Mexico won the game 1-0, the German national team never recovered from this opening defeat and was eliminated after the preliminary round.