Thanks to a late Rafael Marquez goal, Mexico defeated 10-man Uruguay 3-1 in front of a sold-out crowd at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday.
The game got off to a bizarre start when the Chilean national anthem was played rather than Uruguay in the pre-match ceremonies, and the tournament’s organizers quickly apologized for their embarrassing blunder. Mexico looked to be in control after taking a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute, and Uruguay was in dire straits after midfielder Matias Vecino was sent off just before half time. But Uruguay flipped the script in the second half and tied the game in the 74th minute when center back Diego Godin powered in a header off a set-piece. Mexico showed why they are considered favorites to win this year’s Copa America when Marquez scored in the 85th minute, and midfielder Hector Herrera sealed the three points for Mexico and manager Juan Carlos Osorio after scoring in stoppage time. Overall, it was a highly entertaining encounter, and although Uruguay lost, they are still considered favorites to advance out of Group C and into the knockout round.
Player ratings (1-10, with 10 the best)
Mexico
GK Alfredo Talavera, 6 -- Made a vital save when he blocked Uruguay forward Edinson Cavani’s shot in the 30th minute. Also tipped wide a deflected header in the 49th minute. However, he came out for a couple of Uruguay crosses and didn’t get near them, and didn’t look very comfortable with the ball at his feet. Overall, it was a decent performance, but he will need to control his 18-yard-box better when Mexico takes on Jamaica on Thursday.
DF Nestor Araujo, 8 -- Marshaled the back line well with center back partners Marquez and Hector Moreno. Made a couple of important clearances and interceptions in the last fifteen minutes of the match. A composed performance from the 24-year-old.
DF Rafa Marquez, 8 -- The four-time World Cup veteran put in a man-of-the-match display against Uruguay. Scored a peach of a goal in the 85th minute, rifling the ball past goalkeeper Fernando Muslera at his near post, and made a potentially goal-saving block in the 22nd minute. The 37-year-old is still an important part of El Tri and showed his class on Sunday.
DF Hector Moreno, 7 -- No-nonsense performance from Moreno, who seems to have good chemistry with Marquez. Could have improved his passing accuracy and could have been a little more composed, but he didn’t make many mistakes on the back line.
MF Miguel Layun, 7.5 -- The jack-of-all-trades midfielder was the best midfielder for Mexico on Sunday. Made a great pass to Chicharito that put the striker in on goal, and made a couple of smart, late runs into the box.
MF Diego Reyes, 7 -- The most defensive of the three midfielders in Mexico’s 3-4-3 formation, Reyes deputized as both a defensive midfielder and center back, and kept possession and shielded the back line whenever he was called upon. Didn’t make any poor decisions and always found an open teammate.
MF Andres Guardado, 5 -- A Jekyll-and-Hyde performance from the Mexican national team veteran. Played a fantastic cross that resulted in an own-goal in the fourth minute, which gave Mexico the early lead, and also won numerous fouls all over the field. Yet Guardado also committed a number of fouls and earned a controversial second yellow in the 73rd minute that ended his match. A minute after Guardado was sent off, Uruguay scored. Mexico will miss him when they take on Jamaica on Thursday.
MF Hector Herrera, 8 -- The FC Porto man is an irreplaceable cog in Mexico’s midfield, and he showed his worth tonight with a terrific performance. Covered a ton of ground and did a lot of dirty work to win back the ball for El Tri, and scored the goal that sealed his team’s victory. Also sprayed a number of dangerous passes to his teammates.
FWD Jesus Manuel Corona, 6 -- Herrera’s Porto teammate, Corona was not as big of a factor as many Mexican national team fans hoped. He was constantly double-teamed by Uruguayan defenders, and he missed numerous opportunities to cross the ball into Uruguay’s 18-yard-box. Won the foul that led to Vecino’s second yellow and subsequent red card.
FWD Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, 5.5 -- Hernandez, like Corona, had a couple moments of magic, but his flicks and cute passes didn’t always come off. He did make a couple of smart runs to get into scoring position, but never troubled Uruguay goalkeeper Muslera.
FWD Javier Aquino, 7.5 -- One of the best players for Mexico in the first half, Aquino terrorized Uruguayan left back Alvaro Pereira and sent in a couple of dangerous crosses into the Uruguay box. Unfortunately for Mexico, he was substituted in the 55th minute, and Mexican fans will hope Aquino was just tired and not injured during the first half.
Substitutes
FWD Hirving Lozano, 7.5 -- Lozano was brought in the 55th minute to replace Aquino, and the 20-year-old wasted little time running at defenders and linking up with teammates. His cross led to Herrera’s goal in second-half stoppage time, and Mexico are lucky to have a spark plug they can turn to on the bench.
MF Jesus Duenas, 5 -- Substituted for Corona in the 60th minute. Did not have many touches on the ball, but defended well and kept things simple. Duenas and the rest of the midfield were under siege late in the second half, but withstood waves of Uruguay attacks and closed out the game.
FWD Raul Jimenez, 7 -- Substituted for Chicharito in the 83rd minute. Won a crucial header late in the game, and also assisted on Herrera’s goal in the 92nd minute. Will look to get more playing time when Mexico takes on Jamaica on Thursday.