You just can’t give Andres Guardado that much space.
Canada may have one of its best squads in decades, but if it wants to compete for its first Gold Cup since 2000, the Canucks will have to defend better than they did early in the second half against Mexico.
Andres Guardado received the ball about 40 yards from goal and was allowed the time and space to dribble forward and lash a wicked blast from 25 yards out to spark Mexico to a 3-1 win over Canada in Gold Cup Group A action on Wednesday in Denver.
Guardado, Mexico’s captain, didn’t start the match, coming on in the first half to replace the injured Erick Gutierrez. He made his mark in the 54th minute and added his 28th Mexico goal in the 77th minute to seal the victory.
¡¡GOOOOOLAAAAZOOOOOOO AZZZOOOOOO AAAAAZZOOOOO!!! Guardado le pegó de una manera espectacular y la mandó al ángulo.@miseleccionmx 2-0 Canadá pic.twitter.com/fsFVAjgoO5
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) June 20, 2019
The two Guardado goals, combined with a strike from Roberto Alvarado in the first half, sent Mexico clear atop Group A with six points with a match left against Martinique, which on Wednesday beat Cuba 3-0 in front of a massive crowd at Broncos Stadium. Martinique currently sits third behind Canada on goal difference. Canada still has Cuba to play, which may or may not lose more players to defection.
Massive crowd here in Denver for Cuba vs. Martinique, the premier matchup in the Gold Cup pic.twitter.com/bXrTQjlui5
— The18 (@the18com) June 20, 2019
(Eventually, 52,874 fans showed up for the undercard between Mexico and Canada.)
The first half began with some physical play from both teams. While the players seemed content to get on with it, the two coaches were seen jawing at each other.
Tata Martino and John Herdman are getting into it on the sideline! #Mexico vs #Canada is heating up now.
— Joga Bonito (@Jasoninho10) June 20, 2019
Maybe they were just asking for dinner recommendations.
Mexico eventually took the lead in the 40th minute through Piojo Alvarado. A miskick in the back from Canada allowed a shot from Raul Jimenez. Canada keeper Milan Borjan was able to save the first shot, but not the rebound from Alvarado.
¡¡GOOOOOOOOOOOLLLL DE MÉXICOOOO!! ¡¡GOOOOOOOOOOOLLLL DE MÉXICOOOO!!
El Piojo Alvarado aprovecha un rebote y de zurdita papá la manda a guardar@miseleccionmx 1-0 Canadá— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) June 20, 2019
Canada was able to find pockets of space to attack the Mexican defense on occasion throughout the match.
The Canucks’ first great chance fell to 18-year-old Bayern Munich winger Alphonso Davies early in the second half. Davies worked enough space to get off a shot, but the effort whizzed just wide of Memo Ochoa’s post.
Alphonso Davies was inches away from getting the equalizer for #CanMNT. And then #Mexico went right down the other way, and Andrés Guardado scored a golazo to make it 2-0.
— Joga Bonito (@Jasoninho10) June 20, 2019
Moments later, Guardado’s golazo gave Mexico some comfort room.
Interestingly, after Mexico’s second goal, Canada coach John Herdman pushed Davies back to the left back position, putting perhaps his most dangerous attacker almost as far from goal as possible.
But Canada was able to pull one back in the 75th minute when Jonathan David stole the ball deep in Mexico’s half and got the ball to Lucas Cavallini for an easy finish.
¡GOOOOOOL DE CANADÁ! Néstor Araujo con error en la defensa, Davies aprovecha y le regala medio gol a Cavalini. Descuenta Canadá@miseleccionmx 2-1 Canadá pic.twitter.com/cQ9i1xXSp8
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) June 20, 2019
The goal was for naught, as El Principito put the match away moments later.
Guardado’s second wasn’t quite as incredible as his first as it took a big deflection, but they all count the same. (Just kidding, golazos count way more in our book.)
¡GOOOOOOOOOLLL DELLL TRIIIIII! ¡Respondió México! Guardado mantiene la calma, hace un regate y la manda a guardar@miseleccionmx 2-1 Canadá
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) June 20, 2019
And for USMNT fans wondering how the U.S. stacks up with Mexico or even Canada, here’s a couple of takes from two former USMNT players.
Watching USMNT last night and Mexico tonight, one thing really standing out: The Rhythm and speed at which Mexico play at - vertical, fast and crisp passing. Easy on the eye. Of course diff opponent, styles of play, etc- but this has been Mexico under Tata.
— Stu Holden (@stuholden) June 20, 2019
Just watching this Mexico vs Canada game thinking about our squad. pic.twitter.com/oZLpmCoZw3
— Bobby Boswell (@bobbyboswell) June 20, 2019
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