Mexico kicked off their Road to Rio with a big win over Costa Rica. Manager Raul Gutierrez started an experienced lineup that had many players who’ve logged heavy minutes for their Liga MX clubs over the years. The biggest shocker was deciding to go with Tijuana goalkeeper Manuel Lajud Bojalil over Porto B keeper Raul Gudino.

The back four consisted of Josecarlos Van Rakin on the right, while Gutierrez made the move to send fellow right back stand out Rodolfo Pizarro out on the left to make the most of his squad. The center back pairing was the duo of Jordan Silva and Carlos Salcedo, who captained Mexico for the match. In the middle, Pachuca duo Victor Guzman and Erick Gutierrez handled the middle while Raul Lopez and Arturo Gonzalez took over the wings. Up top Erick Torres and Marco Bueno took over the attacking duties, and starred.

Early on in the match both sides found themselves in an up and down match that saw both teams create decent chances for themselves. After some good combo play out of the midfield Gonzalez was out on the left wing and whipped a ball along the ground and into the box which Bueno was able to find and place in the back of the net to give the Black Aztecs a 1-0 lead.

As Costa Rica tried to find a way back in the game, the Mexican defense tightened up and the midfield started to take over the game with their simple passes and ball movement. As the first half entered stoppage time Mexico was able to earn a corner. When Gonzalez crossed the ball, Torres’s back heel was helped into the goal by Tico defender William Fernandez to give Mexico a 2-0 lead which they duly took into halftime.

As the second half kicked off and went on Costa Rica tried to find their chance to get back into the game, but struggled to find a real clear cut opportunity to pull a goal back. It was second half substitute Hirving Lozano who was the spark that kept Mexico ahead. His beautiful cross in the 77th minute from the outside of his right foot was able to go above a defender and find Bueno, who chested the ball down and smashed it home with his left foot to give Mexico a 3-0 lead.

Mexico would cap off a dominating performance in the 88th minute when Lozano would find fellow substitute Daniel Alvarez on the right side. His cross found its way past the Costa Rican defenders to Torres at the back post, whose easy finish would give Mexico the 4-0 lead and finish off a great opening night in their qualifying campaign.

In the earlier match in group B, a 6th minute goal from forward Anthony Lozano was all Honduras needed to top Haiti 1-0 and give themselves a valuable three points and improve their chances at reaching the Olympic Games for a second time in a row.  

Group B continues on Sunday when Mexico faces Haiti and Costa Rica faces fellow Central American rival Honduras.