Mexico shows bite in dominating win to open Gold Cup
(image via Selección Nacional de México)
After last week’s disappointing performance in the Gold Cup, spirits were low around the Mexican National Team. Head coach Diego Cocca was relieved of his duties and Jaime Lozano was named interim to guide the team in the Gold Cup. Mexican fans wondered how exactly the team would respond. In front of 66,255 fans at NRG Stadium Sunday night, El Tri showed that they were not down and out, routing Honduras 4-0 in their opening match of Group B play.
Luis Romo got the game off to a blazing start, scoring just 51 seconds into the match. Honduras tried to clear the ball out of the box with a header but it fell to the Monterrey man. Romo took one touch then lashed a left-footed volley into the bottom right corner.
Mexico kept the pressure on as the crowd at NRG spurred them on. The wave circled the stadium after just 10 minutes and the fans began the “Ole!” chants after just 20 minutes. Moments later Mexico would double their advantage with Romo bagging his brace.
A corner was played in from the right and it found the head of Jesus Gallardo near the penalty spot. The defender nodded the ball toward goal where Romo was waiting on the doorstep. He headed the ball in off one bounce to make it 2-0 after 22 minutes. VAR took a quick look to make sure Romo stayed onside and the goal was confirmed.
Mexico took their lead into the break, comfortably controlling the match. El Tri came out in the second half with the same fire they showed to open the match and they would make it 3-0 in the 52nd minute. Orbelin Pineda collected the ball outside the box and danced through the Honduras defense. He got himself space near the penalty spot and hammered home Mexico’s third of the night.
Mexico’s domination was complete in the 64th minute. Romo tried a through ball into the box but it was deflected by the Honduras. The delfection fell right into the path of Luis Chavez and he finished calmly into the side-netting with the outside of his left foot to make it 4-0 and put Honduras away.
Plenty of question marks surrounded this Mexico team as they began their Gold Cup run. One game won’t cure everything withing the Mexican federation but a dominating 4-0 win over Honduras will certainly ease some nerves.
Mexico’s next match in group play will take place Thursday against Haiti. Honduras will take on Qatar. Both matches are in Glendale, Arizona.
