“Con Todo y Contra Todos” (With everything and against everyone) was the motto as Mexico suprised by opening their South American tour with a 2-0 victory over Internacional. With a very alternate squad for Mexico after the clubs didn’t release a number of players and against a Brazilian club with a lot of supporters, Coach Javier Aguirre was able to get a great victory with a very good performance from the team filled with youngsters and with many of the squad making their National team debut. Mexico will now travel to Argentina where they will close out their friendly tour with a match against River Plate in Buenos Aires.
The first half started with Mexico having very few “veterans” and the only true veteran with the National team being Jesus Gallardo. Internacional de Porto Alegre meanwhile had a number of veteran players including Intertional regulars like Rafael Santos Borre (Colombia) and Enner Valencia (Colombia). As expected, Internacional dominated possession against a young Mexican squad that sat back to defend. A cross into the area from Gallardo was just out of reach of Guillermo Martinez and Internacional’s goalkeeper, Anthoni, was able to get to the ball. A cross into the area was just cleared by Eduardo Aguila before Internacional could get a shot off. In the ensuing corner kick, Mexico’s goalkeeper Raul Rangel would come out late and the ball would fall to Wesly, who fortunately for Mexico was judged to have handled the ball before he could get off a shot. A longball would be headed well by Martinez into the area where Jorge Ruvalcaba would win the ball and get off a left footed shot that was well saved by Anthoni. Because of an injury, Internacional subbed out Bruno Gomes for Pablo Da Costa. After another longball, Martinez would get to the ball and get off a right footed shot that was well saved by Anthoni. Although the home side had more possession, it was Mexico who had the best opportunities to score. A great combination play between Ruvalcaba and Gallardo ended with Gallardo getting a low pass that reached Erik Lira, who got off a great right footed shot in the area that went past Anthoni and into the roof of the net to score and give Mexico the 1-0 lead. It was a surprise coming into the match for Mexico to score but not from what had happened on the field, where Mexico had been the dangerous side and had played a very good 1st half. Almost immediately on the restart, Mexico had another chance when on a 1 vs 1, Ruvalcaba got into the area but his right footed shot was well saved by Anthoni although it was a bad miss from Ruvalcaba. After a combination play between Borre and Valencia, the latter would get off a right footed shot that would go past Rangel but go just wide. After Efrain Alvarez lost the ball in his area, Valencia would get to the ball and get off a left footed shot that was blocked by Rangel. Wesley would get past his defender and get off a cross that was deflected by Ramon Juarez into the net but Rangel came up with a great save to stop the own goal and kept Mexico in the lead. Off almost their own area, Elias Montiel would get off a great longball into the path of Jorge Ruvalcaba, who this time would go on another 1 vs 1 but get off a great right footed shot past Anthoni and into the net to score and give Mexico the surprising 2-0 lead. It was a great play and a great counter and Mexico had deserved lead. The halftime whistle blew and Mexico went to the break with the lead after a fantastic performance in the first half.
The 2nd half started with the home side hoping to battle back while Mexico looked to continue having a great performance. A funny thing happened when the match had to stop some seconds after a sprinkler in the field activated itself. A cross into the area was lowered by Valencia but Eduardo Aguila made a great slide to clear the ball of his feet. Mexico subbed out Ramon Juarez, Jorge Ruvalcaba, Elias Montiel and Jose Ramirez for Victor Guzman, Raymundo Fulgencio, Jeremy Marquez and Roberto Meraz. Internacional subbed out Wesley, Vitao, Enner Valencia and Thiago Maia for Vitinho, Victor Gabriel, Wenderson and Bruno Henrique. From outside the area from Gabriel was easily saved by Rangel. A cross into the area from Vitinho turned into a shot that was cleared by Rangel. Mexico subbed out Efrain Alvarez for Santiago Muñoz. After a very good play for Alan Patrick, he would get a pass to Wenderson, whose shot in the area went right to Rangel. Internacional subbed out Romulo Zwarg, Rafael Santos Borre and Alan Patrick for Luis Otavio, Yago Noal and Gustavo. Mexico made history when they subbed out Guillermo Martinez for Gilberto Mora. With the substitution, Mora became the youngest player ever to debut for the senior Mexican National team. Henrique got off a low cross that turned into a shot but Rangel made a great save to clear it. Off a counter, Mora got into the area but his low shot went right to Anthoni. It would be the last chance and Mexico got a great result in Porto Alegre.
Mexico started their South America tour in a great way with a surprising victory. With a lot of hurdles placed on them, they overcame them to get a win with an alternate squad in a hostile environment. A lot of young player made a big statement especially names like Ruvalcaba, Lira, Juarez and Efrain Alvarez, who might be now in the picture for regular callups. History was also made with Mora although he still has no official cap with the senior team until he faces another National team. Aguirre and company will have a boost but they will have a very tough match on Thursday when they travel to Buenos Aires to face River Plate. Although at least a lot was gained so far with this tour that looked so problematic just days ago.
