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Top of the Match
Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez
Mexico
Mexico
Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez
Mexico
Mexico
Flop of the Match
Sergio Busquets Burgos
Spain
Spain
Sergio Busquets Burgos
Spain
Spain
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Mexico 1-1 Spain: Late David Silva Equaliser Saves World Champions From Defeat
The Manchester City new boy handed la Furia Roja a share of the spoils...
By Paul Macdonald
Vicente del Bosque's much-changed Spain side needed a last-gasp David Silva strike to draw 1-1 with Mexico in the Estadio Azteca this evening.
The experienced coach rested a number of his stars from the triumph in South Africa last month, but his alterations looked costly as a Javier Hernandez strike on 15 minutes gave Mexico a lead that they held until injury time.
However, Silva was the saviour, curling home in injury time to hand Spain a draw that their lacklustre performance barely deserved.
The hosts were quickest out of the blocks, and their early lead was deserved, albeit arriving in controversial circumstances.
Deportivo la Coruna winger Andres Guardado slipped a through ball behind the Spanish back line, with Carlos Vela clearly in an offside position. However, Vela did not touch the ball and therefore was not interfering with play, allowing Manchester United new addition Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez to run clear on goal. As Iker Casillas advanced, Hernandez coolly slotted into the corner of the net, to leave la Furia Roja stunned.
Visiting coach Vicente del Bosque named a vastly different side from the one that ousted the Netherlands in the World Cup final, with the likes of Santi Cazorla and Fernando Llorente earning starting berths, while Villarreal midfielder Bruno made his international debut, but Mexico were vibrant in the opening exchanges.
On two separate occasions Carlos Marchena was required to produce last-ditch interceptions to deny Giovanni dos Santos and 'Chicharito' once more, however as the half developed, Spain’s possession and therefore influence on the match begun to slowly increase.
On the half hour mark, Llorente almost capitalised on a fortunate break of the ball but just couldn’t wrap his foot around the shot, then moments later a thunderbolt from Cazorla crashed back off the crossbar with shot-stopper Ochoa flailing. At the other end, Rafael Marquez brought the best out of Casillas with a stinging low drive.
The match was played at a higher tempo than most friendly encounters, but with both sides making changes at half time - particularly Del Bosque who made five alterations – the momentum dipped considerably and lost some of its intrigue as a result.
Indeed, the substitutions were about the only interesting thing in the closing stages, as la Roja threw on their heavyweights in order to salvage the contest. Xabi Alonso, Xavi, and Pedro were all introduced as Del Bosque looked to avoid defeat.
However, Mexico, were the more motivated of the two sides, and appeared most likely to net for long spells of a tepid second half. Elias Hernandez whizzed an effort over Victor Valdes' crossbar, but at the other end Corona was a relative spectator as the match wound down to what seemed to be a deserved Mexican win.
However, Silva had other ideas, beating Corona to a through pass and curling the ball neatly into the corner of the net, to frustrate Mexico, who felt they had did enough to merit the spoils.
The performance was far from ideal for Del Bosque as his side begin their European Championship campaign next month versus Lichtenstein, although he provided a number of fringe players with a welcome run-out. For Mexico, though, proof that they are capable of competing with the world's best, and perfect preparation for upcoming friendlies with Chile and Colombia.
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The experienced coach rested a number of his stars from the triumph in South Africa last month, but his alterations looked costly as a Javier Hernandez strike on 15 minutes gave Mexico a lead that they held until injury time.
However, Silva was the saviour, curling home in injury time to hand Spain a draw that their lacklustre performance barely deserved.
The hosts were quickest out of the blocks, and their early lead was deserved, albeit arriving in controversial circumstances.
Deportivo la Coruna winger Andres Guardado slipped a through ball behind the Spanish back line, with Carlos Vela clearly in an offside position. However, Vela did not touch the ball and therefore was not interfering with play, allowing Manchester United new addition Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez to run clear on goal. As Iker Casillas advanced, Hernandez coolly slotted into the corner of the net, to leave la Furia Roja stunned.
Visiting coach Vicente del Bosque named a vastly different side from the one that ousted the Netherlands in the World Cup final, with the likes of Santi Cazorla and Fernando Llorente earning starting berths, while Villarreal midfielder Bruno made his international debut, but Mexico were vibrant in the opening exchanges.
On two separate occasions Carlos Marchena was required to produce last-ditch interceptions to deny Giovanni dos Santos and 'Chicharito' once more, however as the half developed, Spain’s possession and therefore influence on the match begun to slowly increase.
On the half hour mark, Llorente almost capitalised on a fortunate break of the ball but just couldn’t wrap his foot around the shot, then moments later a thunderbolt from Cazorla crashed back off the crossbar with shot-stopper Ochoa flailing. At the other end, Rafael Marquez brought the best out of Casillas with a stinging low drive.
The match was played at a higher tempo than most friendly encounters, but with both sides making changes at half time - particularly Del Bosque who made five alterations – the momentum dipped considerably and lost some of its intrigue as a result.
Indeed, the substitutions were about the only interesting thing in the closing stages, as la Roja threw on their heavyweights in order to salvage the contest. Xabi Alonso, Xavi, and Pedro were all introduced as Del Bosque looked to avoid defeat.
However, Mexico, were the more motivated of the two sides, and appeared most likely to net for long spells of a tepid second half. Elias Hernandez whizzed an effort over Victor Valdes' crossbar, but at the other end Corona was a relative spectator as the match wound down to what seemed to be a deserved Mexican win.
However, Silva had other ideas, beating Corona to a through pass and curling the ball neatly into the corner of the net, to frustrate Mexico, who felt they had did enough to merit the spoils.
The performance was far from ideal for Del Bosque as his side begin their European Championship campaign next month versus Lichtenstein, although he provided a number of fringe players with a welcome run-out. For Mexico, though, proof that they are capable of competing with the world's best, and perfect preparation for upcoming friendlies with Chile and Colombia.
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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2 | 0 |
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