Macías, Herrera, Lozano lead Mexico to easy win
Mexican national team cruises past group rival Bermuda in newest regional tournament.
José Juan Macías scored once in each half and Chucky Lozano and Héctor Herrera scored classy second-half goals as Mexico swept past Bermuda in their Concacaf Nations League opener.
El Tri went through the motions against the world’s 167th-ranked team, turning in a mediocre first half before pulling away in the second half thanks to some individual brilliance.
Mexico – No. 12 in the FIFA World Ranking – seemed more intent on avoiding injury and getting in a workout than in fine-tuning their game. It showed during the first 45 minutes and goalie Rodolfo Cota was called on to make a tough save in minute 18.
Uriel Antuna opened the scoring for Mexico in minute 25, running onto a Lozano through pass inside the box before rounding the goalie and tapping home.
More from Viva Liga MX
- Guillermo Ochoa is out 4-6 weeks
- The Clásico Regiomontano is Heating Up
- Pumas: In Search of Regaining a Top Spot
- Why the United States Is Set to Overtake Mexico on the World Stage
- Erick Gutierrez is out once again
Just before halftime, Herrera picked out left back Cristian Calderón making a run into the box and lofted a perfect pass. Calderón centered with a header and Macías smacked a left-footed, half-volley into the net for a 2-0 lead.
Eight minutes into the second half, Lozano stole a Bermuda pass and sent Antuna behind the defense through the left channel, but the L.A. Galaxy star’s shot was blocked by Bermuda keeper Dale Eve. Unfortunately for the hosts, the ball bounced right to Macías and he controlled the bouncing sphere then banked a shot off the crossbar to make it 3-0. The 20-year-old striker now has three goals in two games with the senior squad.
Defense not sharp for Mexico
El Tri fell asleep on a Bermuda corner kick a few minutes later, losing track of their star player, Nahki Wells. The Queens Park Rangers striker circled around from the back side and not a single Mexican defender chased him, allowing him to one-time a left-footer past Cota.
El Tri reacted quickly as Herrera fired a long lead pass to Lozano on the right side, leading the Napoli winger into the box. Lozano fired a right-footed volley off the second bounce and Mexico’s three-goal lead was restored.
Lozano then missed a penalty kick in minute 66, but he made up for it by supplying his second assist of the night four minutes later. Off a free kick, Herrera lined up next to Lozano wide left of goal. Lozano tapped the ball square and Herrera blasted a long shot from a sharp angle that zipped past Eve before settling just inside the far post.
El Tri continues with its Nations League schedule on Tuesday, hosting Group B rival Panama in Estadio Azteca.
Last week, Mexico defeated Trinidad and Tobago in a friendly match in Toluca.