Mexico defeated Guatemala 3-0 Wednesday night to get its Gold Cup campaign back on track after opening the tournament with a disappointing scoreless draw to Trinidad and Tobago. Rogelio Funes Mori, who switched his international eligibility from Argentina to Mexico in June, scored a brace for El Tri. Seeing the 30-year-old excel for Mexico has some people wondering, is Funes Mori Mexican?
Is Funes Mori Mexican?
Yes. Despite being born in Argentina and playing for Argentina’s national team in 2012, Funes Mori is a naturalized Mexican citizen after spending more than five years living in Mexico. In June the Monterrey striker was given the green light from FIFA to represent Mexico due to only playing one friendly for Argentina.
He has played for Monterrey in Liga MX since 2015 and has had his share of spectacular goals. Wednesday night’s game was just Funes Mori’s third game playing for El Tri.
Funes Mori vs. Guatemala Highlights
Funes Mori finally found the back of the net in the 2021 Gold Cup against Guatemala. He recorded eight shots against Trinidad and Tobago. In the 29th minute Funes Mori scored Mexico’s first goal of the Gold Cup with a beautiful curler.
Mexico gets their first goal of the tournament and takes the lead against Guatemala pic.twitter.com/2F9hbJsuTV
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2021
There was a lot of pressure on Funes Mori coming into the tournament. With Raúl Jiménez still injured, many Mexican fans expected Chicharito to fill El Tri’s striker vacancy. Funes Mori silenced his doubters in the 55th minute by smashing home his second goal.
FUNES MORI AGAIN
Mexico takes a 2-0 lead pic.twitter.com/mI0Ca4SRCN— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2021
Funes Mori could have recorded a hat trick if it weren’t for some excellent goalkeeping from Nicholas Hagen.
What a save by Nicholas Hagen!
He keeps Guatemala in it early in the second half pic.twitter.com/WPUi5Tj8Ue— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2021
Mexico grabbed a third in the 79th minute to ensure Guatemala’s elimination and secure the three points.
Pineda makes it THREE for Mexico pic.twitter.com/CVEwMiyLeS
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2021
Mexico is practically through to the next round barring a Trinidadian miracle. Trinidad and Tobago would need to defeat Guatemala, have Mexico lose to El Salvador and make up a 5-goal differential on Mexico. Good luck with that.
The last two games of Group A will be played on Sunday at 10 p.m. EST.