Funes Mori Scores on Debut as Mexico Defeats Nigeria 4-0

Roberto Funes Mori couldn’t have asked for a better debut with the Mexican National Team. The recently naturalized Monterrey striker netted his first goal with La Seleccion less than 5 minutes into his first game ever with El Tri in front of a raucous Los Angeles crowd of 53,258.

Mexico dominated the first half against Nigeria scoring 2 goals in the first 5 minutes of the game. The first goal came after a Tecatito corner where he was able to find a wide-open Hector Herrera near the second post. Herrera struck the ball into the back of the net and made it 1-0 in less than 120 seconds.

The crowd at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles did not have to wait long for the second goal as a couple of minutes later Mexico would strike again. After stopping a Nigerian attack, Erick Gutierrez launched a rocket towards a streaking Tecatito who controlled it perfectly near the top of the box. Tecatito would find Chucky Lozano who could not make great contact with the ball. Chucky’s shot would fall to an open Funes Mori on the left side who made it 2-0 with a great strike past the keeper.

Less than 10 minutes into the second half, Mexico’s Captain Hector Herrera would score his second goal of the night. HH scored after a Chucky shot was stopped by the Nigerian keeper and rebounded right to his feet. The keeper left his goal open and Herrera got it past the incoming Nigerian defenders. Tonight’s goals were Herrera’s 7th and 8th international goals with El Tricolor. 

Jona Dos Santos would join the goal-scoring party minutes after coming into the game with a wonderful volley from outside the box in the 78th minute. The LA Galaxy midfielder was able to make the most of his playing time after coming back from injury.

Mexico will now head to the Lone Star state where they will play all of their group stage games of the 2021 Gold Cup. Mexico’s opening game will be held on July 10th at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington against the winner of the Gold Cup Qualifier between Trinidad and Tobago and French Guiana.