Mexico cruised in a 2-0 victory over Ghana that starts their last friendly tour before the 2026 World Cup. Mexico completely dominated Ghana from the start and outside of a stretch of time early in the 2nd half, they were overly superior. While Ghana is also taking part in the World Cup, they came in with a totally alternate squad which allowed Mexico an easy time in Puebla. Mexico will now travel to the United States where they will face off against Australia on Saturday May 30th in the Rose Bowl.
The 1st half started with Mexico coming out with a majority of players who had been called up into Training Camp, missing the Liguilla with their teams. Gilberto Mora got into the area and looked like he was brought down but nothing was given. Ghana’s goalkeeper, Benjamin Asare, made a terrible mistake by sending a pass right to Brian Gutierrez, who from way outside the area got off a right footed lobbed shot into the empty net and before Asare could return to score a great goal and give Mexico the early 1-0 lead. It was a bad mistake by Asare but it wasn’t an easy chance for Gutierrez, who got off a good lobbed shot. Roberto Alvarado got off a left footed shot from just outside the area but Asare made a good save. Felix Afane-Gyan got the ball in the area but his right footed shot went well wide. Alvarado got the ball in the area but his left footed shot went right to Asare. Mora made a great run into the area and got off a right footed shot that went past Asare but hit the post. The ball then bounced into Armando Gonzalez but he failed to connect with it at first and then when he got off a left footed shot from close range, Asare made a wonderful save. Off a corner kick, the cross into the area forced Asare to come out and clear the ball off the head off a Mexican attacker. From outside the area, Mora got off a low right footed shot that forced a good save from Asare. A cross into the area was brilliantly headed by Alexis Vega past Asare to score but the goal was correctly ruled to be offside. The whistle blew and although Mexico completely dominated, they only had a one goal lead.
The 2nd half started with Mexico subbing out Gilberto Mora, Armando Gonzalez, Israel Reyes, Jesus Gallardo and Raul Rangel for Edson Alvarez, Guillermo Martinez, Jorge Sanchez, Mateo Chavez and Carlos Acevedo. Gutierrez would get into the area on a 1 vs 1 but his strong right footed shot went straight to Asare. After Mexico lost a ball, Ghana got into the area but Majeed Ashimero lost the ball. Later the ball reached Afane-Gyan, who got off a right footed shot that forced a great save from Acevedo. In the ensuing corner kick, Gyan got off a wide open chance but once again Acevedo made a great save. In the next corner kick, a left footed shot from Gyan would hit the post. Mexico would then get off a counter almost immediately and Romo got off a great pass that found Guillermo Martinez, who got past a defender and got off a great left footed shot past Asare to score and give Mexico the 2-0 lead. After Mexico had struggled on defense, they answered on offense to settle things somewhat. Alvarado got off a left footed shot in the area that Asare handled well. Mexico subbed out Jesus Alejandro Gomez, Luis Romo, Alexis Vega and Roberto Alvarado for Eduardo Aguila, Luis Chavez, Kevin Castañeda and Isaias Violante. A cross from Violante almost got deflected for an own goal. Off the ensuing corner kick, Martinez got a header that went close to going in. Ghana subbed out Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Felix Afena-Gyan and Daniel Agvei for Razak Simpson, Jeffry Afriyie and Prince Amoako. Mexico subbed out Erik Lira and Brian Gutierrez for Luis Rey and Iker Fimbres. A good cross in the area was lowered by Martinez into the path of Castañeda, who got off a right footed shot that went wide. Ghana subbed out Majeed Ashimero, Ibrahim Osman, Emmanuel Agvei and Benjamin Asare for Benezer Adade, Joseph Opoku. Salim Adams and Solomon Agbasi. A good counter was wasted when Violante send a cross out of reach for Martinez. Ghana subbed out Jan Gyamerah, Terry Yegbe, Nathaniel Adjei and Oscar Naasei for Ebenezer Abade, Antwi Acosta, David Oduro and Ebenezer Abban. Off a free kick, Adams got off a right footed shot that was easily saved by Acevedo. Off a corner kick, thte cross would be headed by Chavez but go wide. It was the last chance of the match as Mexico got the victory to start their final friendly tour before the World Cup.
Mexico started their last run of three friendlies with a dominating victory over Ghana. While Ghana came in with a very weak squad, Mexico cruised to the victory and outside from a spell at the start of the 2nd half, they never suffered. It was a great friendly in terms of seeing an African rival while not over exerting yourself in the first match of three. Each match should be an increase in level of difficulty and their match on Saturday against Australia will be a tougher matchup. A couple of players increased their credit with the team, especially Guillermo Martinez. On the other side, Alexis Vega and Roberto Alvarado continued with the level that has given a lot of fans pause. Mexico will travel to Los Angeles on Wednesday before facing Australia in the Rose Bowl on Saturday.
