Mexico 4-0 Iraq: summary, score, goals, highlights, World Cup warm-up game
Mexico 4-0 Iraq
So what conclusions can a head coach take from a game like tonights? Iraq were so poor so the line of thinking that they would reflect Saudi Arabia carries little weight.
Having said that, a team can only beat what's put in front of them and Mexico dominated the contest from the off with the fourth minute goal from Vega valming any early nerves.
The six changes at the break certainly gave an added spark to a side that started to look a little lethargic and three second half goals from Funes Mori, Gallardo and a last minute penalty from Antuna rounded off the night for Mexico but Martino will be aware that a sterner test awaits next Wednesday at the same venue as Sweden will face Mexico in El Tri's last test before boarding the plane for Qatar.
Mexico 4-0 Iraq
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The whistle sounds and a resounding 4-0 win for Mexico.
The Cruz Azul man sends the keeper the wrong way to make it 4-0
Antuna to take the spot kick
Spot kick for Mexico as Al Ammari blocks the ball with his hand.
Last minute of the game and the fans gathered here are still enjoying themselves with plenty of noise as 2 minutes of added time will be played.
The test next Wednesday against Sweden will be of a more serious nature as Tata Martino looks ahead to the first game of the World Cup as Poland will be the first opponent for Mexico in Qatar...with the thinking that Sweden and Poland are of a similar sature.
The tempo of the action has dropped somewhat as the clock ticks towards the 90 minute mark.
Mexico have been dominant from the first minute and to be frank, it's been a one way contest.
The second have Mexico unit have been way more impressive than the unit we saw in the first 45'.
So, the subbed on Zero needs to leave following the muscular issue and Abdulkareem takes his place as the clock ticks down.
Just over ten minutes left here in Girona.
Zero is on the ground and needs medical attention. Seems to have developed a muscular issue.
That goal incidentally was Gallardo's first in a Mexico shirt after more than 75 appearnces for El Tri
Poor from the Iraq keeper and his defence in the lead up to the Mexico third and I have to say that this second half version of El Tri is a little easier on the eye as opposed to the Mexico we say in the first 45'.
Gallardo the man on target for Mexico with a fine left foot half volley from inside the Iraq box.
3-0 for El Tri
The fans now moving swiftly to covered areas of the ground as the rain increases in intensity and the ball zipping off the moist surface now.
More changes as Zero and Muhsen get ready to come on ... the game is held up though as Attiya lies on the ground after a knock to the nose.
Iraq too seemed to have upped their tempo levels too as they seem to move the ball around quickly.
We're heading towards the 60 minute mark and the rain forecast has started to fall and with a fair degree of intensity.
Three changes for Iraq: Jabbart, Attwan and Adnan off
On for Iraq: Ahmed, Al-Ammari and Ghasem
Almost three for Mexico as Antuna drives the ball across the face of the Iraq goal and it goes inches wide.
Mexico playing with an added spark with the half time changes.
By the way, there will be no more Mexico subs tonight with Martino using all his substitutes at the interval.
ok, back to the substitutions.... the six players on are:
Romo, Alvarez, Atuna, Sanchez, Angulo and goal scorer Funes Mori.
Funes Mori it was who drove the ball high and into the roof of the Iraq night ... Fine finsih from the Rayados player
Goooool de Mexico
Let's start with the departed players: Araujo, Rodriguez, Herrera, Vega, Martin and Moreno.
Tata Martino has made six changes at the break.....
The teams are back on the pitch at Montilivi and it looks looks like we've a few new faces on the pitch.
Iraq are involved in the first of four friendly games between now and 21 November as the face Ecuador next Saturday in Madrid. They then face Belgium and Costa Rica with all four World Cup sides looking for sparring partners ahead of the tournament.
HT: Mexico 1-0 Iraq
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The whistle sounds and it's been quite some time that I've seen such a one sided game with Mexico in control from the first minute. The only downside is the lack of more scoring chances. El Tri have failed to test Hasan in the Iraq goal.
Into the final minute of the half and it's likely we'll see wholesale changes at the break with six Mexico players currently warming up on the Montilivi touchline.
Martino will be disappointed that his side have failed to carve more openings with the amount of the ball they have controlled.
Talavera clears but drills the ball off an Iraq player. The Juarez stopper managed to save his blushes as the defence came to his rescue.
Possession stats after 38 minutes: Mexico 82-18 (%) Iraq
The Asian side being outclassed in every department.
Fourth corner of the evening for El Tri but this time the men in green were level to the challenge. The Asian side really have underwhelmed and apparently have only trained for 45 minutes in their three days in Catalunya.
The Mexico XI
This is how the Mexico XI looked pre-game as Tata Martino's men prepare for the Qatar World Cup.
We've seen little from Henry Martin tonight with the Club America man yet to get involved in the action.
Approaching the half hour mark and Mexico are looking very composed and comfortable indeed.
Decent effort from Vega as the Chivas man spots the keeper off his line but drives the ball over. The only negative from a Mexican point of view is the lack of a second goal.
Mexico appeal for a handball as the ball strikes an Iraq player but on further viewing shows that it struck his chest.
There is no VAR for this pre-World Cup friendly game.
Mexican journalists covering El Tri in Girona report that striker Raul Jimenez is 70% fit. Tata Martino has always said that the Wolves player would only make it to Qatar of he was 100% fit.
Feyenoord striker Santi Gimenez is on standby should the striker fail to recover totally in time.
Alexis Vega celebrates his goal 1-0 of Mexico during the game Mexico (Mexican National Team) vs Iraq, friendly match of preparation prior to the start of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, at Montilivi Municipal Stadium, on November 9, 2022. <br><br> Alexis Vega celebra su gol 1-0 de Mexico durante el partido Mexico (Seleccion Nacional Mexicana) vs Irak,amistoso de preparacion previo al inicio de la Copa Mundial de la FIFA Qatar 2022, en el Estadio Municipal de Montilivi, el 9 de noviembre de 2022. / Eric Alonso / Eric Alonso
Mexico one up
Chivas striker Alexis Vega celebrates his goal for El Tri against Iraq
It's total control from Mexico now. Talavera in the El Tri goal has yet to touch the ball !
Iraq did start brightly but the Asian conference side seem shell shocked to have conceded so early. This is very much the therapeutic performance Mexico fans needed but a sterner test will come next Wednesday as they face Sweden.
Not even eight minutes gone and Mexico are now in total control as Gallardo is a constant menace down the Mexican left flank.
Mexico in control
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Wonderful assist from Gallardo and Vega was alert to put Mexico ahead after just 4 minutes
Gol. Mexico go ahead as Vega slots home in a good counter from El Tri
The pitch at Montilivi is in immaculate condition and at present no sign of the rain that has been forecast.
Mexico start the action... Indeed, about 1,000-1,500 fans here at Montilivi
Mexico in all cream tonight with Iraq in all green.
All set in Girona as tonight's referee Cuadra Fernandez (Spain) gets the action underway.
The teams are on the pitch and it's time for the national anthems.
First up that of Iraq with a handful of Iraqi fans singing along at Montilivi.
Next up Mexico and the players belt out every word. Better footballers than singers are Mexican side !
Plenty of big sombreros among the Mexico fans gathered in Girona tonight with the away shirt (which El Tri will play in tonight) every bit as popular as the classic green shirt.
Both sides are warming up on the Montilivi surface with these Mexico games the last time the stadium will be used for high profile game until after the World Cup with LaLiga returning on 29 December.
Mexico face Sweden next Wednesday at the same venue.
It's essential that Mexico head to the Gulf with positive sensations!
Iraq in solid form
The Lions of Mesopotamia come into tonight's game in a solid run of form winning two of their past three games with one draw in the trio of friendly games:
Syria 0-1 Iraq
Oman 1-1 Iraq
Iraq 3-1 Zambia
Mexico's last three results
vs Colombia (3-2) Loss
vs Peru (1-0) Win
vs Paraguay (1-0) Loss
Mexico come into tonight's game in somewhat erratic form after sealing their ticket for the Qatar World Cup. Two defeats in their past three games have seen many fans and media outlets sharpening the knives for Argentine coach Martino with another sector, frustrated that that coach has failed to call upon the likes of veteran strikers Carlos Vela or LA Galaxy's Chicharito.
...and the official confirmation
Talavera starts in goal with Club America striker Henry Martin set to lead the line for Tata Martino's men.
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Mexico XI
Mexican soccer specialist Wiso Vazquez seems to first on the block with the Mexico starting XI... this is what Wiso has:
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Mexico fans at Montilivi
It's difficult to anticipate just how many El Tri fans will turn out in Girona tonight. The Catalan club offered attractive prices with the lowest starting at 10 euro (behind the goals) and central Tribuna tickets for as little as 15 euro. My 'guesstimation' would be 1500-2000 fans at the 13,000 capacity stadium tonight.
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Some nice 'inside the dressing room' footage from the Mexican FA account but still no sign of a team sheet as we now have less than an hour to go before kick-off.
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New Iraq boss Casas to oversee Lions of Mesopotamia
The new Iraq manager Jesus Casas was recently announced as new Iraq manager.
The Spaniard will be watching from the stands as interim manager Shenaishil’s side take on Mexico and Ecuador respectively. Casas is set to take charge of the Lions for the first time for the friendlies with Costa Rica and Venezuela on 17 and 21 November.
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Mexico-Iraq: matchday weather
It's a mild November evening in the Catalan city with a current temperature of 17C/63F but there is a risk of showers during the friendly contest at Montilivi.
With just over an hour to kick-off, you have plenty of time to learn 'No Se Va' has become the unofficial Mexico World Cup anthem with the song made famous recently by Grupo Frontera.
The Mexico supporters version has amended words and is a pean to El Tri making the long sought 'quinto partido' after Mexico reaching the Round of 16 in the last eight tournaments.
No 'Tecatito' in Qatar
Mexico winger Jesus "Tecatito" Corona will miss the World Cup after failing to recover from an ankle injury, the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) said on Tuesday.
Corona, who has scored 10 goals in 71 appearances for Mexico, underwent surgery after fracturing his left ankle while training with Sevilla in August.
Mexico coach Gerardo Martino, who named Corona in his 31-man preliminary squad for Qatar, travelled to Seville earlier this month to asses Corona's fitness after Sevilla manager Jorge Sampaoli said the 29-year-old would not be fit for the finals.
The Mexican medical staff were hopeful "Tecatito" could join Mexico's training camp on Nov. 14 or 15 despite the LaLiga club saying he would only return in December.
"After the relevant communication between Gerardo Martino and Jesus Manuel Corona, the player will not be able to be integrated into the Mexico squad for the Qatar 2022 World Cup," FMF said via a statement.
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Last Mexico-Iraq meeting
We have to go back to 1986 for the last time the Central Americans and the Asian side went head to head.
The Estadio Azteca will the setting es El Tri ran out with a narrow 1-0 win in the contest in the 1986 World Cup group game.
Mexico boss Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino is still without many of his European based players who will be released by their respective clubs next weekend. The definitive Mexico squad is expected to be announced on 13 November with the 14th being the ultimate deadline stipulated by FIFA as Martino waits on the latest fitness reports on Wolves striker Raul Jimenez who is still in a race against the clock to be 100% fit ahead of the deadline.
All set in the Mexican dressing room
The shirts are ready and hanging up in the Montilivi locker rooms.
This will be the first of two games that Mexico will play at the home of LaLiga side Girona as they face Sweden here next week.
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El Tri will be in their away kit tonight with their cream and burgundy shirt featuring Aztec designs one of the smartest jerseys that we will see at the forthcoming World Cup.
Iraq will, tonight be the team wearing green.
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Iraq XI vs Mexico
Well ahead of time, the starting line-up for Iraq has been announced.
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Tonight's game for Iraq marks the first of four friendly games as they prepares for the Gulf Cup which kicks off in January 2023. After facing Mexico tonight in Girona, Jesus Casas' men will face Ecuador in Madrid next Saturday. Then then face Belgium's Red Devils on the 15th before taking on Costa Rica two days later.
Tonight's game for Gerardo 'Tata' Martino's men will be the penultimate test for El Tri before they head to Qatar where they are pitted in Group C and will face Poland, Argentina and Saudi Arabia.
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Mexico vs Iraq friendly game from Girona's Montilivi Stadium with the game starting at 21:00 CET / 3:00 pm ET / 12:00 pm PT.