Mexico’s Top 10 Goals of the Decade
Without further ado, Mexico’s top 10 goals of the decade. Again, these goals were not only judged on beauty and difficulty but significance. Enjoy!
10. Carlos Vela 1st goal vs Holland – 2015 Friendly
When it was announced that Carlos Vela accepted an El Tri call-up for the first time in three years in 2015, it was big news.
Vela’s history with El Tri hasn’t always been the prettiest. He won the 2005 U-17 World Cup in Brazil alongside Giovani dos Santos, but after making his senior team debut in 2007, he was suspended for six months by the Mexican Federation in 2010. Vela was suspended for his involvement in a party following a friendly with Colombia in Monterrey.
After a brief return in 2011, Vela chose to stay away from Mexico call-ups for 3 years.
Just before the 2014 World Cup, then manager Miguel Herrera and his staff traveled to Madrid to meet with Vela. Vela’s talent was flourishing while playing for La Liga side Real Sociedad where Vela even won the 2013 December La Liga Player of the Month Honors. The Mexican striker became the team’s best player playing alongside world-renowned talent Antoine Griezman.
Meanwhile, Mexico was struggling to qualify for the World Cup. When the Mallorca star was asked to rejoin the Mexican squad by Herrera, Vela declined.
Vela’s return to El Tri did not disappoint, scoring eight minutes into the game. For his first goal, Vela hit an absolute stunner past Tim Krul from 25 yards out. It was Carlos Vela’s first goal for El Tri since June of 2010. Vela went on to score a brace, granting Mexico a bittersweet win over the Netherlands. The result made several wonder if Vela would have been present for Mexico in Brazil, would things have turned out differently for El Tri?
Fast forward to 2019, Vela has denied recent call ups by current Mexican manager Tata Martino and is pretty much in international retirement at the age of 30. But like a bad ex, the door is never completely shut with the 2019 MLS MVP.
9. Chucky Lozano 2nd goal vs Belgium – 2017 Friendly
Eeeelllll Chuckyyyy Lozanoooooo! This game was Mexico’s first encounter against Belgium since that mythical 2-2 tie in 98 World Cup. Since then Belgium had evolved into one of international soccer’s top teams. Belgium was sporting a talented team made up of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut and Romelu Lukaku against Mexico.
The game began with Belgium scoring first in the 17th minute. It looked like it was going to be a long night for Mexico and its backline. Hazard was breaking through the Mexican defense with ease, and Lukaku was overpowering the Mexican center backs.
In desperate need of goals in the second half, Irving Lozano unleashed his #ChuckyMode, scoring 2 goals in a span of 5 minutes. Both were amazing goals in their own right, but the one that takes the cake on this list is the one Chucky scored in the 60th minute.
With the score tied at 2, Lozano took control of the ball on the left side of the field, cut inside towards the middle of the box and launched a strike that was easily stopped by Courtois. The stop caused the ball to go up high in the air, right into the path of Lozano, who took advantage and blasted a volley that beat an outstretched Courtois.
The score would end up 3-3 after 90 minutes. The game was a fun back and forth contest that proved that when Mexico is focused and the talent is willing to work, they can go toe-to-toe with the best of them.
8. Guardado vs Canada – Gold Cup 2019
After a comfortable 7-0 win against Cuba in their opening match of the 2019 Gold Cup, Mexico was looking to cement their place atop their group win a win against Canada. The Maple Leaf was coming off a win of their own against Martinique. With LAFC’s Mark-Anthony Kaye and Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies on the field, Canada was ready to challenge Mexico.
Tata Martino decided to hold out some of his key players, i.e Andres Guardado, in hopes of having fresh legs in the knockout rounds. A hamstring injury to Erick Gutierez forced Martino’s hand and he had to insert El Principito in the 37th minute. At this point in the game, Mexico was in command but needed to shore up its midfield.
Guardado quickly cemented himself in the game at the start of the second half. He intercepted a pass on Canada’s own side, pulled up near the half circle and rifled an improbable strike into the top left corner. Guardado wasn’t done scoring yet as he would score again in the 77th minute to secure a 3-1 Mexico win and a spot in the knockout rounds. Mexico’s captain continued to prove why he belongs in the squad even in the twilight of his career.
7. Rafa Marquez vs USA – 2018 World Cup Qualifiers (2016)
Márquez is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in Mexico’s history and one of the best Mexican players of all time. Márquez joined Barcelona in 2003 and played in 242 matches for the Catalan club scoring 13 goals. His 242 appearances at Barcelona made him the most-capped non-European player in the club’s history.
Marquez’s contributions to the national team match his club accomplishments. El Kaiser represented Mexico in 5 World Cups matching Antonio “La Tota” Carbajal and German legend Lothar Matthäus as the only 3 players to play in 5 World Cups. Marquez was able to score in 3 of those tournaments capping an incredible career for one of Mexico’s best ever to don “La Verde”.
In 2016, Marquez was still playing an integral part of the national team even at the age of 37. Mexico was in the middle of World Cup qualification and was facing the US in their home soil. The United States hadn’t lost a World Cup qualifier at home in 15 years, their last loss coming at the hands of Honduras in 2001. US fans began to sing in chorus a phrase that represented the superiority of the US team had had over Mexico after the turn of the century. “Dos a Cero“. The chant of “Dos a Cero” originated from the fact that the US had beaten Mexico in 2001, 2005, 2009, and 2013 qualification cycles and worst of all the 2002 World Cup.
This game represented a chance for Rafa Marquez to beat the US for the last time. Doing this would bring to close almost 2 decades of American dominance over Mexico. And Marquez would go on to do just that.
Miguel Layun would open up the score with an outside the box score that slipped by Tim Howard. Minutes into the second half Bobby Wood made it even after dribbling right through the Mexican defense for a goal. It looked like the game would end up tied, a good result for a Mexican team that was winless in qualification against the U.S. since 1972.
But then in the 89th minute, Mexico’s eternal talisman, the man nearing the end of his playing career, El Kaiser de Michoacan came to the rescue. Miguel Layun served a ball near the first post off a corner kick. Marquez struck the ball with his head perfectly to loft it over a motionless Brad Guzan. Having always been deadly in the air, it was surprising to see Marquez completely unmarked by the US defense.
The header proved to be the difference giving Mexico an important 3 points in Hexagonal qualifiers. It also gave Mexico and Marquez fans a great memory for years to come.
6. Gio Dos Santos vs Holland – 2014 World Cup
Much can be said for Gio Dos Santos career. From his beginnings as a product of Barcelona’s La Masia to sharing the field with future golden ball winner Luka Modric, his failed LA Galaxy stint and his injury-riddled season so far with Club America. It hasn’t exactly been the career that many pundits envisioned for Gio. But Dos Santos has always played better with the national team and when he’s on his game he has produced some of the best memories of the decade for Mexico.
Mexico was a huge underdog in its Round of 16 matchup against the Netherlands. (Can someone explain why sometimes we use Holland but then the Netherlands as well? Anyway…) Giovani dos Santos put Mexico ahead 1-0 in the 48th minute with a sensational goal from outside the penalty area. Dos Santos surprised everyone by controlling a loose ball in the air and driving himself into a trio of Holland defenders. Dos Santos then struck a low ball past Holland’s keeper Jasper Cillessen for a goal that caught everyone by surprise.
The former Spurs man had everyone in Mexico in a euphoric state. The “Quinto Partido” curse was about to be broken and Mexico was controlling the match. Unfortunately, we all know what happened next.
Dos Santos, now 30, will never be able to live up to the billing that he was tabbed during his youth. But he will always have a special place in Mexico’s fans’ hearts with goals and plays such as the one he displayed in that afternoon in Brazil.
5. Paul Aguilar vs USA – 2015 CONCACAF Cup
The now abolished Concacaf Cup was a play-off match to determine Concacaf’s entry into the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia. The 2013 Concacaf Gold Cup winner the United States played against the 2015 Concacaf Gold Cup winner Mexico to determine who would go on to represent Russia in 2017.
(I’m going to miss the Confederations Cup. It was always one of my favorite international competitions, and the only competition Mexico has won at a senior level. Also, the US defeated a Spain in 2009 that was in the midst of a 35-game unbeaten streak. The US wasn’t even supposed to make it into the knockout rounds let alone almost beat Brazil in the final. So here’s to you Confederations Cup! May you live forever in our hearts.)
Mexico dominated the game early with a goal from Javier Hernandez but a Geoff Cameron header tied the game. The game would head into overtime where Oribe Peralta and Bobby Wood would continue the tense affair. With the game seeming like it would head into overtime, Paul Aguilar knocked in one of the most shocking goals in recent history.
In the 118th minute, after a Mexican attack was failed to be cleared properly by Demarcus Beasley, Raul Jimenez launched a backward pass high into the box. Paul Aguilar found himself near the ball on the right side of the United States penalty area and volleyed a low driven shot past goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
Pasadena’s Rose Bowl erupted into euphoria along with Aguilar who celebrated by launching himself against a nearby video screen. (I honestly enjoy watching all of Aguilar’s celebrations, as I happen to dance exactly like him.)
The victory gave Mexico Concacaf’s berth for the 2017 Confederations Cup.
4. Andrés Guardado vs Costa Rica – 2011 Gold Cup
During all the time that I’ve been watching the Mexican National team, I don’t think there has been any other player that to me that perfectly exemplifies what it means to play for La Seleccion than Andres Guardado.
Even with national team upheavals and managerial changes, Guardado has been a steady presence for the national team ever since his introduction in 2005. The then Mexico manager Ricardo Lavolpe thought highly enough of Guardado’s abilities that he decided to take the 19-year-old to the 2006 World Cup in Germany. El Principito came on during the most crucial moments of the tournament for Mexico and even though Mexico did not get the positive result against Argentina, Guardado received valuable experience.
Fast forward to the 2011 Gold Cup, Andres Guardado would score the second-best goal of the tournament. Mexico was facing Costa Rica in a group stage matchup. Guardado’s goal in the 19th minute would set the tone for what was to come for Costa Rica. With Mexico controlling the ball near the Costa Rican box, Chicharito dropped off a pass for midfielder Israel Castro. Castro, seeing an open Guardado on the left side of the box, lofted a pass over the Costa Rican defense his way. The pass curled in a way that Guardado enough space to be able to volley a left-footed rocket past Kaylor Navas.
The technical ability that was needed to not only place the ball but to give it enough power to bend over Navas was one of the most sublime goals that Mexico has had this decade. The Mexican side would go on to cruise to victory 4-1 victory over a stunned Costa Rican team.
With close to 160 caps, Guardado is nearing “El Emperador” Claudio Suárez’s record of 177 caps with the Mexican national team. Even if he remains second to Suárez, Guardado will forever be remembered as one of the most integral players in the country’s history and it will be intriguing to see if he can keep his level of play at a high enough level to play his 5th World Cup in Qatar.
3. Chucky Lozano vs Germany – 2018 World Cup
When it was announced that the reigning world champions Germany was going up against Mexico during the 2018 World Cup, no one gave Mexico much of chance. And how could you? Mexico had just lost to a German B Team at the 2017 Confederations Cup and this time Germany would be bringing all their weapons. Luminaries such as Manuel Neuer, Mesut Özil, and Marco Reus were going to be facing a mercurial Mexico squad.
Before the World Cup began David Faitelson, one of Mexico’s most famous sports journalists, interviewed Javier Hernandez. During the interview Faitelson let Hernandez know that from his point of view, Mexico did not have the level of play to be champions. In turn, Hernandez responded with why couldn’t Mexico compete? Why couldn’t they be the Greece team from the 2004 Euros? Or 2015-2016 Leicester from the Premier League? Chicharito explained that the Mexican players needed to believe in their abilities and to have faith in order to win. Chicharito later exclaimed in the interview something that stuck with a lot of Mexican fans. Hernandez said “Imaginémonos Cosas Chingonas”. Let’s imagine awesome things is a rough translation. This Hernandez expression became the battle cry of the 2018 World Cup (and the subject of several memes).
The game vs Germany was played at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow and did not disappoint from the start. The German midfielders were too slow to keep up with the trio of Chicharito, Carlos Vela, and Chucky Lozano. This evident in Mexico’s goal in the 35th minute.
Hector Herrera stole the ball from Sammi Khedira in Mexico’s half. The ball was recovered by Hector Moreno who needled the ball Chicharito to an open Chicharito. Hernandez knowing he would be pressured from behind by the German defense gave a 1 touch pass to Andres Guardado and sprinted into open space. Guardado quickly returned the ball to Hernandez who saw a trailing Lozano from the left-wing and dropped a wonderful leading pass into the box. Chucky controlled the ball with his left foot maneuvering past a stunned Mesut Ozil stunned and struck the ball past the German keeper.
Germany manager Jogi Löw never fixed the problem with his midfield and instead of shoring up his defense, Löw threw more forwards onto the pitch. The second half would be a tense affair that made every Mexican shake with Germany pummeling the Mexican backline. The El Tri defense did not break and Mexico achieved one of their greatest World Cup victories ever. The current crown jewel of Mexican soccer Irving Lozano made that afternoon in Moscow a memory that will last forever in the minds of Mexicans everywhere.
2. Raúl Jiménez vs Panamá – 2014 World Cup Qualifiers (2013)
Mexico’s qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup was one of the most chaotic moments in El Tri’s history. Poor results led to a revolving door of managers and even then satisfactory results were hard to come by. Chepo de la Torre was replaced after being defeated by Honduras at the Estadio Azteca and his replacement, Alfredo Tena, was let go after a mere one game in charge.
Mexico, thanks to a big assist by Graham Zusi and Aaron Johnson, qualified for CONCACAF–OFC play-off against New Zealand and eventually made it into the World Cup. The only memory that should be taken away from this tumultuous time is the birth of one of the most important goals in Mexican soccer history.
By this point, Raul Alonso Jimenez had cemented his place in the Mexican squad after being part of the Gold medal in the 2012 London Olympics and participating in the 2013 Confederations Cup. Victor Manuel Vucetich, Mexico’s 3rd coach in the qualifying campaign, called on Jimenez to be a catalyst. The Estadio Azteca was where Jimenez rose through the ranks to become Club America’s undisputed starter. This was his moment.
In the game against Panama, El Tri seemed for another disaster. The once impenetrable fortress that once was the Estadio Azteca was now just another stadium for CONCACAF teams to beat up Mexico. Jimenez entered in the 83rd and quickly made his presence felt. In the 8th minute, Jimenez received a pass from Fernando Arce near the penalty spot. Jimenez used his right foot to knock the ball up in the air and with his back turned launched his body for a bicycle kick.
The ball went just inside the right post of Panamanian goalkeeper Jaime Penedo. The overhead kick hit the inside of the post and ricocheted in for a goal sending the Azteca into a frenzy.
The entire sequence was something pulled straight out of the Super Campeones series. Jimenez playing the part of Oliver and creating an impossible goal for an endless memory for Mexican fans. El Tri would go on to beat Panama 2-. The game revived Mexico’s hopes for qualification and under the guidance of Miguel Herrera eventually, Mexico did.
1. Giovani Dos Santos vs USA – 2011 Gold Cup
The absolute best goal of the decade goes to none other than Giovani dos Santos. What makes the goal so special is not only the fact that it was against Mexico’s bitter rival but the degree of difficulty and time and place of where it took place. Mexico had gotten their behinds kicked by the USA during the 2000s and the gap between the nations seemed to shorten with every passing year.
Mexico fell behind 2-0 early at the Rose Bowl and was without their defensive Stewarts Rafa Marquez and Carlos Salcido due to injuries. Mexico would mount a quick comeback and with a Pablo Barrera (remember him?) brace, El Tri had 3-2 lead by the beginning of the 2nd half.
Gio’s goal would come at the 75th minute of play thanks to an effort by Chicharito to save the ball on the right side corner flag. “El Chicharito, el Chicharito, Chicharito, Chicharito”, echoed Univision’s announcer Pablo Ramirez as Carlos Bocanegra toed the ball away to the current sporting director for the Mexican Football Federation Gerardo ‘El Borrego” Torrado.
Gio made a run among two US defenders towards the middle of the box where Torrado caught him with a pass. Tim Howard rushed towards Dos Santos leaving his goal empty in the process. Giovani, like a Tio playfully keeping the ball away from his nephew, mercilessly kept the ball away from Howard as he swiped and clawed for the ball. Dos Santos suddenly chipped the ball over Howard and towards the goal. The ball perfectly entered the top left corner of the goal and the Rose Bowl erupted in the pandemonium.
Dos Santos sprinted towards the Mexican team on the sideline and joyously celebrated this once in a lifetime goal. The goal would give Mexico a commanding lead in the Final and the 2011 Gold Cup trophy. A truly all-time great goal to give Mexican (and US) fans everywhere a moment they will never forget.
“APAGO LA LUZ Y ME VOY…”
