Mexico Draws Against a Valencia Side with Substitutes and Jet Lag
Spanish club Valencia, fielding substitutes and some players affected by jet lag, managed a 2-2 draw this Saturday against a lackluster Mexican national team in a friendly match held in Puebla.
With two goals from Dani Gómez, the Spaniards halted Mexico’s momentum after the home side initially went ahead with goals from Alexis Vega and Ozziel Herrera, only to lose their rhythm in the final hour.
Under the guidance of Javier Aguirre, Mexico dominated possession 70-30 in the first half but squandered better chances to score. Meanwhile, Valencia, despite missing several key players, remained organized and defended well with a five-man backline.
The Mexican team started with intensity and took the lead in the 8th minute, thanks to a shot from Vega that hit the post, grazed goalkeeper Vincent Abril, and ended up in the net.
Motivated, the hosts kept pushing forward, and in the 13th minute, Abril denied Guillermo Martínez, who had arrived in the box with a clear scoring chance. Ozziel Herrera doubled the lead with a long-range strike to make it 2-0. However, the Spaniards regrouped, halted Mexico’s offensive onslaught, and pulled one back in the 42nd minute with a brilliant goal by Gómez, who curled the ball into the top corner with a right-footed shot.
In the second half, Valencia remained patient and found the equalizer in the 62nd minute when Gómez scored again, this time with his left foot. The goal sparked boos from the local crowd, expressing their frustration with the Mexican side.
The match lost intensity following numerous substitutions on both sides and ended with little action in the final minutes.
Next Tuesday, Mexico will face the United States in Guadalajara in what will be the Tri's fourth match under Javier Aguirre’s management. So far, Aguirre has recorded one win and two draws, but the pressure is mounting due to his previous failures with the national team.
