Mexico scored two late goals to defeat Uruguay 3-1 in dramatic fashion to win their Copa America Centenario opener in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday.
Veteran defender Rafael Marquez’s goal helped Mexico break a late deadlock with La Celeste before Hector Herrera scored in stoppage time to seal the victory for El Tri and give CONCACAF their first win of the tournament. Diego Godin scored the lone goal for Uruguay, who were without star striker Luis Suarez due to injury.
El Tri needed just four minutes to take the lead when Uruguayan defender Alvaro Pereira nodded an Andres Guardado cross into the back of his net. Mexico dominated the remainder of the half with Uruguay going down to 10 men just before halftime when Matias Vecino was sent off for his second yellow card.
Uruguay attempted to claw their way back into the match in the second half and found their equalizer in the 73rd minute. The sequence began when the South Americans earned a free kick after Guardado was sent off for receiving his second yellow on a foul on an Uruguayan attacker. On the ensuing free kick, Godin rose above a Mexican defender to pull Uruguay level.
La Celeste’s good fortune did not last as Marquez scored just 11 minutes later with a blast from close range. Mexico doubled their lead in stoppage time when Hector Herrera nodded a Raul Jimenez pass into the back of the Uruguayan net.
Mexico returns to action on Thursday when they face Jamaica at the Rose Bowl while Uruguay takes on Venezuela at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
