Mexico defeated Bolivia by a 1-0 score to make it two out of two in their friendly tour.
Mexico close out their January friendly tour with another victory by a 1-0 score, this time over Bolivia. Once again Mexico was the better team but didn’t give a great performance especially on offense. Mexico ends their Central and South America tour and will now return to Mexico where they will play another non FIFA date friendly in Queretaro on February 25th against Iceland. Bolivia will go to Mexico in March to prepare for their World Cup playoff match against Suriname in Monterrey that will be played on March 26th.
The first half started with Mexico only Goalkeeper Raul Rangel and Marcel Ruiz repeating from the starting 11 against Panama. Off a free kick, Ramiro Vaca got off a cross that turned into a shot that was easily saved by Rangel. A great longball from Diego Lainez would find Armando Gonzalez, who got off a cross into the area where Carlos Rodriguez would volley the ball from close range but Bolivia’s goalkeeper, Carlos Lampe would block the shot in a good save and although he would left the ball there, Rodriguez couldn’t get to the rebound before it was cleared. It was a great play from Lainez and Gonzalez but Rodriguez wasted it. Bolivia would have to sub out the injured Richet Gomez for Leonardo Zabala. A good cross into the area would be lowered by Gonzalez but it would be out of reach of Kevin Castañeda, wasting another opportunity. Once again Mexico was completely dominating possession but weren’t creating much against a Bolivian side that wasn’t as defensive as Panama had been. After a bad mistake from Jorge Sanchez, Fernando Nava would get past him and get off a dangerous cross that forced Jesus Gallardo to make a sliding clearance. Mexico would have to sub out the injured Israel Reyes for Ramon Juarez. Nava would get to the area and get off a right footed shot that forced Rangel to make a great save. The halftime whistle blew and although Mexico had been the slightly better team, they once again created almost no chances.
The 2nd half started with Bolivia subbing out Ervin Vaca for Juan Godoy. A bad pass from Rangel that Rodriguez failed to control allowed Carlos Melgar to win the ball outside the area and get off a right footed shot that went past Rangel but hit the post and bounced into the arms of Rangel. It was a bad mistake from both players that allowed the host the most dangerous chance of the match. After a foul, there was a clash between Gallardo and Melgar that started a small scuffle. Off a corner kick, the ball was deflected but Lampe would fail to control the ball although he would be able to before Juarez could get to the rebound. Mexico subbed out Armando Gonzalez, Diego Lainez and Jorge Sanchez for German Berterame, Alexis Gutierrez and Denzell Garcia. Nava got off a right footed shot in the area but it went well wide. A cross into the area was deflected into the path of Rodriguez but his left footed shot went well wide. Bolivia subbed out Moises Villarroel for Robson Mattheus. Off a foul, Castañeda would get off a free kick that Lampe deflected into a a Bolivian defender and the ball was left there for German Berterame to get to it and get off a strong right footed shot past Lampe to score and give Mexico the 1-0 lead. Mexico subbed out Kevin Castañeda and Marcel Ruiz for Luis Romo and Brian Gutierrez. Bolivia subbed out Fernando Nava and Carlos Melgar for Maximo Mamani and Lucas Chavez. A cross into the area would find a wide open Godoy but his header would go wide. After a incredibly harsh tackle on Berterame by Robson Mattheus, he would get the red card, leaving Bolivia with 10 players. Bolivia tried for that tying goal but down a player, they never threaten and Mexico was able to hold on to get their victory.
Mexico got another victory and made it two out of two in their January tour, with both 1-0 victories. Mexico didn’t have the best performance but they were the better team. Against Panama they completely dominated the match while the match against Bolivia was more even, especially in the 2nd half. Still Mexico got two victories after a streak of six matches without a win. Mexico will now go back home before they face off in another non FIFA date friendly in February against Iceland in Queretaro before facing off against Portugal and Belgium in the March FIFA dates. Bolivia will go to Mexico in March where they hope to get a friendly (they were going to face off against the Domincan Republic in a friendly on Friday but it was cancelled) before facing off against Suriname in the March 26th FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Category: General Sports
