June 28, 2017

2017 Mexico vs. Ghana

Mexico earned a 1-0 victory over Ghana in an international friendly Wednesday night in Houston’s NRG Stadium.

Elias Hernandez provided the lone goal, scoring from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute after Ghana defender John Boye fouled Jesus Gallardo in the 18-yard box.

Mexico fielded what was essentially a reserve squad Wednesday since their best players are representing the national team in the 2017 Confederations Cup. El Tri play Germany in the semifinals Thursday.

Ghana, on the other hand, fielded a relatively strong side since their focus is on their 2018 World Cup qualifier against Congo on Aug. 28. The Black Stars are five points behind group leaders Egypt through two matches, so they can ill afford any more poor results if they want to remain on track to earn a ticket to Russia next summer.

Considering the relative importance of the friendly, Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah will likely be disappointed the game’s only goal resulted from a mistake by one of his defenders.

Kwese Sports’ Colin Udoh thought both Boye and fellow Ghana defender Harrison Afful had little argument with the referee’s decision to award the penalty.

Mexico needed Jose Corona to make numerous saves throughout the match to maintain their 1-0 lead, but Corona was powerless to prevent what was Ghana’s best opportunity for an equalizer. Diving to his right, Corona watched in the 78th minute as Frank Acheampong’s left-footed shot caromed off the right post.

While it wasn’t a peerless performance from El Tri, assistant coach Luis Pompilio Paez couldn’t have asked for much more. He’ll take this squad into the 2017 Gold Cup with manager Juan Carlos Osorio’s attention diverted toward the Confederations Cup.

Rather than defending their tournament crown, Paez said before Wednesday’s match the team’s focus in the Gold Cup will be “[consolidating] four to six young players who have yet to go to Europe but can compete for World Cup places against our experienced players in the national team,” per ESPN FC’s Nayib Moran.

Based on their work against Ghana, Mexico should be able to groom their younger stars while also competing with the best CONCACAF has to offer.

By: Joseph Zucker, Bleacher Report [Read Article]