Mexico’s national football teamfinally returned to the soccer field. The Tricolor spent around10 months without playing a game, not even aninternationalfriendly. Now, after finishing unbeaten in their five games, with 4victories and one draw, the team coached by Gerardo Martino is ready to continue with their schedule.
The Mexican side clinched four victories and one draw from their firstinternational friendly games.In their last game in November, the Tricolor took a 2-0 win over Japan. These matches wereused by the managerand the players as practice for the CONCACAF World Cup 2022 Qualifiers and CONCACAF Nations League.
Actually, Mexico were going to play three friendly games earlier this year, against Czech Republic, Greece and Colombia. However, those games were all suspended due to the coronavirus. Their next official game will against Costa Rica in March 2021, for the Nations League semifinals.
Mexico vs Guatemala – September 30, 2020
It was the first of three confirmed international friendly games for Mexico, and was played at the mythical Estadio Azteca. ManagerMartino decided to call only players from the Liga MX and set up a team between youth and experienced players. Mexico defeated Guatemala 3-0, with goals scored byHerny Martín, Orbelín Pineda, and Sebastián Córdova.
Mexico vs Netherlands – October 7, 2020
For their second meeting, Mexico’s squadtraveled to Netherlands, where theyfaced the Dutch national team at Ajax’sJohan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam.Gerardo Martino’s team clinched a 1-0 victory against all odds, thanks to a goals scored by Raúl Jiménez with a penalty.
Mexico vs Algeria – October 13, 2020
Mexico stayed in the Netherland another week to play a third international friendly. However, this time was another rival: Algeria. The game was played at theCars Jeans Stadion, and finished in a 1-1 draw.Mexico were supposed to face New Zealand in the second game of their European tour, but Algeria will finally be their opponents.
Mexico vs South Korea – November 14, 2020
Mexico’s national team returned to action on November 14, when they beatSouth Korea 3-2at theSC Wiener Neustadt Stadium in Austria. Coach Martinocounted on the Mexican players who play in the European leagues for this encounter. Raúl Jiménez, Uriel Antuna and Carlos Salcedo scored for La Tricolor.
Mexico vs Japan – November 17, 2020
The Tricolor played their second international friendly in Austria on November 17. This time, Mexico took a 2-0 victory over Japan, with goals scored by Raúl Jiménez and Hirving Lozano. With the win, the national team finished unbeaten after their five international friendly matchesin 2020, with four victories and one draw.
Mexico forward Uriel Antuna celebrates after scoring a goal (Getty).
