Mexico was only four minutes away from beating Argentina, the number one ranked team in the world by FIFA, Leo Messi came through scoring in the final minutes to equalize. Until then, El Tri had shown a cohesive unit in front of the South American powerhouse, with a fortified defensive line that had kept them at bay.
“There are plenty of negatives, but I like to see the positives,” Mexico interim manager Ricardo Ferretti said after the game. Responding to his team losing a 2-0 lead to Argentina, Ferrette suggested instead to focus on the positive side in scoring two goals to begin with. “There are many positive things, if we choose to see them,” he noted.
Starting line-ups for both sides included stars from Argentina leading their front line with the trio of Leo Messi, Carlos Tevez, and Angel Correa, and Mascherano leading the defense. Mexico matched with Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez playing his first game since his injury in July, along with Israel Jiminez, Hector Herrea, and goalkeeper Moisés Muñoz.
El Tri had hoped to improve upon their loss to Argentina the last time they faced one another nearly five years prior at the 2010 World Cup. As a team in transition, they impressed the 82,559 strong crowd, the majority in red, green, and white colors.
Mexico exhibited a different level of play Tuesday, dominating the first half of the match leading Argentina 1-0 at halftime. Raul Jimenez had been fouled in the box by Nicolas Otamendi, but chose to give the penalty kick to Hernandez. Chicharito netted his 41st goal for the national team with the penalty kick in the 19th, just five short of the all-time record of 46 held by Jared Borgetti.
“It is a friendly game, but the important thing is to qualify,” Hernandez said. “To win a tournament that we have, where it could be the Gold Cup, or CONCACAF Confederations Cup, or the World Cup. We have a lot of positive things to learn and keep thinking about in the future.”
Argentina returned to the second half rejuvenated that later turned to frustration as attempt after attempt on goal were denied by Muñoz.
Mexico’s second goal came at the 70th minute off an assist from Miguel Layún to Hector Herrera, who smashed the ball through two defenders and the goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman. Herrera had scored a few days prior against Trinidad & Tobago, the match also ending in a draw.
Ferretti said he had warned his players, “Against a team like Argentina, you can’t think it’s over at 2-0.” It wasn’t.
Argentina’s Ezequiel Lavezzi saved a ball from rolling out of play in the 85’, that lured Muñoz out of the box with
enough time for Lavezzi to passed center for a rushing Agüero who capitalized.
Minutes later, Agüero chipped the ball up and over the Mexican defenders to Messi who guided it with his chest to then spin and strike for goal. The spectators erupted, having witnessed one of the best goals of the early season by Messi.
With less than four minutes left in the match, Mexico was left scrambling trying to best their opponent. In the end, El Tri left the stadium happy for the confidence boost ahead of the USA match in October.
“It’s a friendly match against a great team with great players,” Ferretti added of their opponent. In looking ahead, “I believe that through positive thinking we see things and are aware of what we need to work on in order to achieve what we want against the United States.”
The two friendlies in the United States both proved to be a success with sell-out crowds. The only main concern was due to the quality of the pitch in Dallas that had been laid a mere two days before the match. Staff from both sides had inspected it and expressed concerns for their players. During the game, Messi slid on a piece of loose turf, losing his footing, but was not injured.
