Mexico added another huge failure to their record after going three and out in the 2024 Copa América with a 0-0 tie against Ecuador. For the first time ever, Mexico failed to get out of the Group Stage in Copa América when they had their main team in the tournament. Mexico had only failed to get out of the group stage in 2011 and 2015. In 2011, CONCACAF forced Mexico and Costa Rica to take a U23 team with 4 overage players to “prepare” them for the Olympic games (in reality it was so they could sent their best squad to the 2011 Gold Cup). That Mexican team, coached by Luis Fernando Tena in both tournaments, would eventually win the 2012 Olympic Gold Medal. In 2015 Mexico went with a B squad because they would sent the A team to the 2015 Gold Cup as they needed the title to play for the 2017 Confederations Cup berth, which they will eventually get.
The 1st half started with Orbelin Pineda getting the start and Carlos Rodriguez going to the bench after the Venezuela match. Ecuador had the return of Enner Valencia, after he got red carded in their opener against Venezuela. After Luis Romo lost the ball trying to make a cute play, Ecuador got a counter from Valencia that forced Cesar Montes to make the foul and get an early yellow card. Off a free kick, Kendry Paez got off a cross that turned into a shot that forced Mexico’s goalkeeper Julio Gonzalez to make a good save. A great cross from Julian Quiñones into the area went to a wide open Cesar Huerta, who got off a terrible header wide. It was Mexico’s best chance so far in the match. While Ecuador always looked dangerous on the counter attacks, Mexico had most of the possession and were dictating the pace of the match. After Angelo Preciado lost a ball to Quiñones, he would get off a cross that would be just headed wide by Santiago Gimenez. While Mexico had been the better side, the match remained tie and with very few opportunities from both teams.
The 2nd half started with both teams coming out with the same players they started the match with. Another good cross from Quiñones found Huerta but his left footed cross went past every player from Ecuador and Mexico. A pass into the area found Gerardo Arteaga but a great slide from Felix Torres would clear the ball off his feet. The ball fell to Quiñones but his cross was also cleared. While the crowd and the Mexican players asked for a PK on Arteaga, nothing was given and it was the correct call. Off the ensuing corner kick, the cross was headed by Huerta and the ball would eventually fall to Gimenez, who headed wide from close range. Replays showed that Quiñones had gotten in the way and had caused Gimenez to not be able to fully connect with his header. Romo would get off a shot from outside the area that would go directly to Ecuador’s goalkeeper, Alexander Dominguez. From outside the area, Quiñones got a good right footed shot that forced Dominguez to make a save on the ball. He would leave the ball for Gimenez, who got off a right footed shot that would hit the post. Ecuador would sub out Kendry Paez for Alan Minda. Mexico subbed out Orbelin Pineda and Cesar Huerta for Guillermo Martinez and Uriel Antuna. For the first time in the tournament, Mexico looked to play with two forwards. Valencia would got off a strong right footed shot that forced Gonzalez to make a save. Ecuador subbed out the injured Kevin Rodriguez and Jeremy Sarmiento for Carlos Gruezo and Angel Mena.A great counter from Ecuador ended with Valencia wasting it by taking a terrible right footed shot that went wide. Mexico subbed out Luis Romo and Julian Quiñones for Erick Sanchez and Jordi Cortizo. After going for a ball, Gerardo Arteaga fell and looked to have injured himself badly. He would have to be taken away in a stretcher and Alexis Vega got subbed in to take his place. Ecuador subbed out Angelo Preciado for Jose Hurtado. Mexico would go all out in the final minutes looking for that goal that would take them thru to the knockout rounds. After getting the ball in the area, Martinez looked to have been dropped by Torres and a PK was given. Replays showed it was a blatant dive and after going to VAR, the ref took away the PK. That turned to be the last hope for Mexico as the match ended and Mexico went out as Ecuador players celebrated and cried in the field.
Mexico’s horrific 2024 summer ended with another failure added to the constant decline of the Mexican National team. After and embarrassing performance in the pre Copa friendlies, and a incredible failure for the U23 team in the Maurice Revello Tournament, the Copa America is the biggest disappointment so far. Mexico can take some solace in that they were the better team in all three matches with the caveat that Ecuador needed only to tie to go thru and thus weren’t in the same situation of either Venezuela or Jamaica. Still Coach Jaime Lozano needs to answer lots of question as his horrid 2024 continues and after two weeks this was a Mexican side that suprised at times but was totally unable to convert the few chances they created. With only the a lot more inferior 2025 Gold Cup as well as the Nations League the only official tournament left before the 2026 World Cup, it might be now or never for a chance to move on or have a repeat of the failed Gerardo Martino era but at home, which would make it the possibly lowest point for Mexican football in decades.
Source link : https://www.fmfstateofmind.com/2024/7/5/24191386/mexico-go-out-in-the-group-stage-of-copa-america-2024-after-scoreless-draw-with-ecuador
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Publish date : 2024-07-05 13:29:19
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