Mexico continue their streak of not winning matches as they tied 0-0 against Uruguay. Mexico was the slightly better team but couldn’t create much danger and the match was a deserved tie. The match also
had controversial referee decision that hampered both teams. Both teams will travel to the United States where Mexico will face off against Paraguay on Tuesday in San Antonio while Uruguay faces off against the United States in Tampa that same day.
The 1st half had Mexico starting out with Raul Rangel as Goalkeeper. They also had the return of Raul Jimenez and Edson Alvarez to the starting 11 after missing out the October FIFA date. In a terrible display from the home fans, people booed whenever Rangel touched the ball, apparently because Santos Laguna’s goalkeeper, Carlos Acevedo didn’t start. After a winning the ball in the area, Jimenez had a good chance but took too long to get off his shot and it was blocked by Uruguay’s goalkeeper, Santiago Mele. Another bad pass reached Roberto Alvarado who failed to get off a shot before it was cleared by Uruguay’s defense. From outside the area, Hirving Lozano got off a right footed shot that went wide. A cross into the area was headed back by Jimenez but just out of reach of Lozano. A cross into the area from Jesus Gallardo would find Marcel Ruiz but his header went wide. In the area, Jimenez got off a right footed shot that went straight to Mele. Because of an injury, Hirving Lozano had to leave the game and Gilberto Mora was subbed in his place. The halftime whistle blew and although Mexico had been the better team, they had failed to create much chances with their possession.
The 2nd half started with Uruguay subbing out Juan Manuel Sanabria and Rodrigo Zalazar for Facundo Torres and Nathan Nandez. A cross into the area was headed just wide by Mathias Olivera. A harsh foul by Nandez against Mora earned him a Yellow Card but it should have been a red. Mexico subbed out Marcel Ruiz, Erick Sanchez and Edson Alvarez for Obed Vargas, Orbelin Pineda and Erik Lira. After getting into the area, Torres would get off a left footed shot that was saved by Rangel. Mexico would answer with Jimenez finding Mora in the area but his right footed shot went past Mele but was just wide. Off a free kick, Jimenez got off a good right footed shot that went just wide. Uruguay subbed out Brian Rodriguez for Maximiliano Araujo. Mexico subbed out Roberto Alvarado and Raul Jimenez for Diego Lainez for German Berterame. The match started to get more physical with Jose Maria Gimenez elbowing Pineda and earning a Yellow card. Israel Reyes got off a left footed shot from outside the area that went wide. After Araujo looked to be tripped in the area, nothing was given and Araujo started a big scuffle with Cesar Montes. Both players earned Yellow cards. A cross into the area was headed by Johan Vasquez right to Mele. It was the last chance as Mexico and Uruguay ended with a deserved 0-0 tie.
Mexico once again gave a good defensive performance but a poor offensive one as they tied 0-0 against Uruguay. While this continues their streak to five games without a win, it also ended a three match losing streak against Uruguay, with all of them being by crushing results (4-1, 3-0 and 4-0). Mexico hasn’t defeated Uruguay since a 3-1 victory in the 2016 Copa America. Mexico troubled Mexico at times and were the better team but they lacked offensive punch and had few chances. The match was also marred by terrible officiating with Uruguay not getting a Penalty Kick that should have been while Mexico had to play against Uruguay’s 11 player, when Nandez should have gotten a red card. Mexico will now travel to San Antonio for their friendly against Paraguay, another defensive team that should be a struggle for Mexico.
