Mexico dominates Bermuda in Nations League opener
The Mexican National Team traveled to Bermuda to open their participation in the CONCACAF Nations League, defeating the small island nation 5-1.
El Tri arrived in Bermuda with a little controversy, as the players faced some criticism on social media after a video of them ignoring a couple of fans that waited for their hotel arrival surfaced online. Whether or not you believe that the players ignored the fans, the fact was that the Mexican team intended to come out of Bermuda with three points.
The home team started the game with high intensity and pressured the Mexicans by not allowing them to keep the possession of the ball. Tata Martino’s men struggled to get past their side of the field and didn’t create any dangerous opportunities for the first 15 minutes of the match. It wouldn’t be until the 25th minute that El Tri finally broke through on a beautiful filtered pass from Hirving “El Chucky” Lozano to Uriel Antuna. He would juke the goalkeeper and tap the ball into the goal to open up the nights scoring tally.
The goal took some pressure off Mexico’s back and allowed them to regain control of the game. Right before the teams went to the lockers, following a cross inside the small box, a header from Cristian Calderon would set up Jose Juan Macias, who blasted the ball into the back of the net.
The Mexican squad came out with a purpose in the second half, and they wasted very little time in scoring their third goal of the night. Antuna nearly scored his second on a breakaway, but Dale Eve blocked the ball. Jose Juan Macias, however, was there to pick up the rebound and score his second goal of the night.
Despite leading 3-0, Tata Martino would get frustrated as his team once again collapsed on a defensive play, which allowed for Bermuda to get their sole goal of the night. Martino was not pleased that the home team’s goal came off a corner kick. Mexico would bounce back, and only three minutes later, Chucky Lozano would score a goal of his own.
Lozano had the opportunity to score a second goal but failed to convert a penalty as his shot crashed into the right post. Fortunately for the Mexican fans, Hector Herrera brought back some joy by scoring a fabulous goal with a shot from outside the box.
The result was an expected one for Martino and his men. An overall comfortable win despite the slow start. Up next for El Tri is a much tougher opponent, Panama at Estadio Azteca on Tuesday.
