USA-MEXICO

Late Ferreira strike seals draw for USWMT

Jesús Ferreira struck for an 81st-minute equalizer as the USA and Mexico played out a draw in the inaugural Continental Clásico in Arizona.

México
La selección de Estados Unidos ha tomado ventaja sobre México y tras contar con una plantilla mucho más valiosa que la escuadra tricolor.Michael ChowUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Diego Cocca remains unbeaten as Mexican national team head coach as his side secured a 1-1 draw with the USA in the inaugural ‘Continental Clasico’ played in Glendale (Arizona).

The game was a cagey affair with chances on goal at a premium with forays from either side into the opposing penalty box conspicuous by their absence in the first 45 minutes. With the game falling outside an official ‘Fifa window’ both managers fielded mainly homegrown players with the game played in front of a big crowd at the home of the Arizona Cardinals with a heavy presence of ‘El Tri’ fans in attendance.

The game sparked into life in the 55th minutes after Uriel Antuna took advantage of a mistake by the US in midfield, stealing the ball and firing open to put Mexico ahead.

Charly Rodríguez struck the crossbar and Luis Chavez went close from a free-kick and just when it seemed that it would be Mexico claiming bragging rights, the US pounced as Jesús Ferreira finished off a fine counter attack in the 81st minute to draw the sides level.

Diego Cocca’s era as new Mexico coach sees his side unbeaten but the Argentine manager will be aware of tougher tests to come with both the US and Mexico set to go head-to-head again in the semi-final of the Final Four of the Concacaf Nations League on 15 June in Las Vegas.

Both the United States and Mexico will then embark on their respective Gold Cup campaigns over the summer with El Tri pitted in a group along with Honduras, Haiti and Qatar in the 2023 Gold Cup. The ‘Stars and Stripes’ will face Jamaica, Nicaragua and a preliminary round winner.

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