Mexico international Erick Gutiérrez gives PSV victory over Ajax

The biggest clash in the Eredivisie took place on Sunday, with Ajax playing host to arch rivals PSV at the Johan Cruyff Arena. Mexican internationals Edson Álvarez, Jorge Sánchez and Erick Gutiérrez were once again given significant game time with their respective teams, with all three playing the full 90 minutes.

El Tri’s Erick Gutiérrez scores the winning goal for PSV against Ajax

Despite playing away from home, PSV took the game to their hosts and took the lead after 23 minutes through Luuk De Jong. Shortly after half-time, Gutiérrez smashed high into the roof of the net after the ball had dropped to him in the box, sending his team into a 2-0 lead and further silencing the home crowd.

After falling two goals behind, Ajax threw caution to the wind and got a goal back in the 83rd minute thanks to Lorenzo Lucca’s strike, although they were unable to find an equaliser in the closing stages.

According to Sofascore, Ajax’s Álvarez finished the game with a pass success rate of 81%, completing 69 out of his 85 passes. He also played two successful long passes and won two aerial duels. Gutiérrez of PSV, Álvarez’s direct opponent in midfield, put up similar numbers (82% pass completion) but was much less involved on the ball, playing only 33 passes (27 of which were successful).

Full-back Sánchez, meanwhile, has had his doubters at Ajax after some indifferent performances since joining the club. In his first appearance in the fixture, the ex-América man touched the ball on 66 occasions and won six of the 12 tackles he went in for.

Erick Gutiérrez, Edson Álvarez and Jorge Sánchez expected to feature for Mexico in 2022 World Cup

All three players are expected to be part of Gerardo Martino’s plans for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with the final 26-man roster for the tournament set to be named imminently.