Giovani adelanta al Tri desde los 11 pasos. https://t.co/hx3AE2fzkz
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) October 8, 2016
Giovani dos Santos signaled his return to the Mexican national team with a goal in Mexico’s 2-1 win over New Zealand on Saturday in Nashville.
Dos Santos scored and donned the captain’s armband in his first start with El Tri since the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The 27-year-old went 90 minutes in his first appearance for Mexico under head coach Juan Carlos Osorio.
Mexico opened the scoring in the 28th minute when Dos Santos slotted a penalty kick past New Zealand goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic. The LA Galaxy star’s goal was the 18th of his international career and his first from the penalty spot.
New Zealand equalized just seconds into the second half when Marcos Rojas slid through the Mexican defense and placed a Deklan Wynne cross into the back of the Mexico net.
The two sides would trade chances, but Mexico ultimately pulled ahead in the 56th minute Marco Fabian gave El Tri the victory with a lovely finish off a give-and-go with Oribe Peralta to put Mexico ahead for good.
Dos Santos will look to further his case to Osorio on Tuesday when El Tri take on Panama at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois. The match will serve as the final tune-up for Mexico before their pivotal World Cup on Nov. 11 qualifier against the United States in Columbus.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog atLAGalaxy.com/Insiderand contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
