On Wednesday, Mexico returned to winning ways in their CONCACAF Gold Cup title defense with a splendid win over Guatemala. Rogelio Funes Mori scored two goals to secure a 3-0 win against Guatemala in Dallas’ Cotton Bowl in Texas.
Still Too Early In The CONCACAF Gold Cup
Mexico had a disappointing start in their CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign. They were held to a draw without any goals against Trinidad & Tobago. However, they have now bounced back just as El Salvador, their rivals in Group A secured their spot in the quarter-finals by defeating Trinidad 2-0. They are the first country to have qualified in this year’s tournament to reach the knockout stages.
Funes Mori, a striker from Monterrey born in Argentina, scored just before the half-hour mark and again five minutes before the hour mark. Mexico’s Orbelin Pineda also scored a header in the 79th minute to power Mexico to a dominating win. On Sunday, Mexico will face El Salvador in the last match of Group A in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The tournament features teams from the Caribbean, Central, and North America.
Funes Mori, 30, vindicated himself in the Mexican squad by manager Gerardo Martino, also called “Tata”. The selection had invited criticism from Tuca Ferretti, his former coach, as well as Luis Hernandez, the legendary striker, because of his roots in Argentina.
An unexpected thunderstorm delayed the match by over 30 minutes. Funes Mori’s opening goal was spectacular as he brilliantly chased down Hector Herrera’s long ball. Then he eluded Kevin Garcia, the Guatemalan defender, as he twisted to curve the ball past Nichola Hagen, the goalkeeper.
In Texas’ Frisco, the home ground of FC Dallas of MLS, saw El Salvador get a second consecutive victory in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Henriquez and Martinez of El Salvador were the only scorers.
