It seems the fifth time was the charm for Mexico in Columbus, Ohio, as they defeated the US national team 2-1 on Friday in the opening match of the hexagonal round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying at MAPFRE Stadium.
Prior to Friday's match, the US had beaten Mexico four consecutive times in Columbus by a 2-0 scoreline, but a late goal from Rafa Marquez made the difference on the night, and broke the "Dos a Cero" run for the Americans.
The first chance of the night came 10 minutes in for Mexico, as Jesus Corona's dribble and shot got a touch from US goalkeeper Tim Howard before bouncing off the far post, and Javier Hernandez could not react quickly enough to make a rebound attempt on the play.
Mexico then found the long-awaited breakthrough in Columbus 10 minutes later, as Miguel Layun stripped the ball from Michael Bradley and hit a sharp, low shot to beat Howard and make it 1-0 for the visitors.
While the US nearly equalized on a goalmouth scramble immediately after Layun's goal, Carlos Vela knocked a header off the crossbar at the other end a few minutes later, but the score remained 1-0.
Each team was forced to make an unanticipated first-half substitution, with Mexican captain Andres Guardado exiting due to injury in the 28th minute, and Howard departing for Brad Guzan in the 40th minute.
The Americans returned from the halftime break energized, and their renewed effort paid off courtesy of striker Bobby Wood in the 49th minute. He received a throughball from Jozy Altidoreand slotted a one-time shot past Mexico goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera to make it 1-1.
The rest of the half was frantic, breathless soccer on both ends, and it looked like it would end in a tie, until Rafa Marquez scored on a near-post header from a corner kick in the 89th minute. While the USMNT pushed for another equalizer, Mexico defender Carlos Salcedo was sent off late in stoppage time for a second yellow card, and there was a short scuffle between the teams. But El Tri hung on to record a historic win.
Box Score
- 20' – MEX – Miguel Layun
- 49' – USA – Bobby Wood (Jozy Altidore)
- 89' – MEX – Rafa Marquez (Miguel Layun)
- Full Box Score
- Stats
Next Up
- USA: World Cup qualifying, at Costa Rica (Tuesday, 11/15, 9 pm ET, beIN Sports, NBC Universo)
- MEX: World Cup qualifying, at Panama (Tuesday, 11/15)
