Mexico open Copa America campaign with victory against Uruguay

Infographic by Jovanni Arroyo-Camberos

If anything was certain, it was that match six of the Copa America would be a high intense game that fans were looking for with this tournament.

Although Barcelona superstar forward, Luis Suarez, was ruled out of the match because of a hamstring injury, the match still provided spectators with a lot of fireworks.

Mexico defeated the no. 9 ranked Uruguay, 3-1, in the second game of Group C Sunday night in Glendale, Arizona.

A crowd of 60,025 fans saw 37-year old and longtime Mexico captain, Rafael Marquez, score the go ahead goal securing three points and first place in the group for the team.

“ I think we did a good job in the first half and we fell asleep a little in the beginning of the second half,” Marquez said in a postgame interview. “We reacted to their goal and we had much more confidence once we scored our second goal.”

Mexico began the game with the fast-paced style offense coach Juan Carlos Osorio has brought to the team since taking the helm in 2015.

It didn’t take Mexico long to show-off that offense with the first goal of the game coming in the fourth minute off an own goal header from Uruguay defender Alvaro Pereira.

The own goal was caused by a cross from Mexican midfielder Andres Guardado, who was sent off in the 73’ minute of the match.

Mexico controlled the majority of the first half with possession and speed through the wings. 'El tri' retreated to the locker room at halftime just after Uruguayan defender Matias Vecino was shown a red card after a foul he committed on Jesus “El tecatito” Corona in the 45’ minute of the match.

Mexico enjoyed a 1-0 lead at the half while also being up one man because of the red card.

“It was a very even game...very disputed game in the first half,” Pereira said in a postgame interview. “ ... I think they dominated the ball more and it was very clear when we had one less man.”

As the second half began, the effects of Uruguay’s coach Oscar Tabarez message to the team at halftime began as the whistle was blown. Uruguay provided more pressure on the Mexican team and for some time it seemed like Uruguay played like they had all 11 men on the field.

“ It was a game with a lot of alternatives, that’s obvious,” Tabarez said  in a postgame interview. “I think Mexico entered the game better than us and it looked like they had a relaxed victory with the first goal coming so soon, … Mexico always had control of the game and it created complications for us.”  

As Uruguay continued to apply pressure, the team received a free kick off of Guardado’s tackle that sent him off.

From the spot of the free kick, Uruguay forward Carlos Sanchez provided the cross that met captain Diego Godin’s header to tie the game in the 74’ minute.

The game shifted as Uruguay came level with Mexico both with goals and men on the field.

However, Uruguay’s momentum didn’t last that long when Marquez netted the go ahead goal in the 85’ minute that ultimately gave Mexico the victory.

The night wouldn’t end there for Mexico. In stoppage time Mexico midfielder Hector Herrera scored the final goal of the night off of a cross from Mexico and Atletico Madrid forward Raul Jimenez.

“We knew that on paper we were facing one of the toughest teams in the group and at the end of the victory it gives us a lot of motivation of what’s coming,” Guardado said in a postgame interview.

Mexico entered the match with eight straight victories (now nine) with current coach Juan Carlos Osorio.

The drama of the match continued past the whistle. In a postgame interview, Osorio said he got into an argument with Uruguay and Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenez and said it was very disrespectful the way he acted.

With the victory, Mexico now leads Group C with three points and a crucial win against one of, if not, the best team in the group.

Mexico now shifts its focus on Pasadena, where the team will meet Jamaica at the Rose Bowl on Thursday night in the second game of their Copa America campaign. Mexico will look for a victory to secure their passage into the quarterfinals.

“ We leave this game with a great victory but we know that we must win two more games in order to finish in first place and qualify for the elimination games,” said Javier Aquino, Mexico midfielder in a postgame interview.