Carson, USA, AFP. – In only its second win in 43 matches, the Mexican women's national team defeated the host United States 2-0 on Monday and qualified as first in Group A to the quarter-finals of the Gold Cup.
The “Trio” team won with two wonderful goals scored by Lizbeth Uvalley and Mayra Pelayo in the 38th and 90th + 2 minutes at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson (California, USA), where the majority of Mexican fans celebrated a great victory for your team. .
With this win, Mexico finished first in Group A with seven points, followed by the United States, which was already seeded, with six points.
After that, Argentina won (4 points) by defeating the Dominican Republic 3-0 on Monday and can still qualify as one of the best third places.
Thus, the first group concluded with an unusual and resounding victory for Mexico, which had won only once in a World Cup qualifying match in 2010, in 42 previous meetings it played against the powerful United States, and tied on another occasion.
Since 2010, Team USA, a four-time world champion, has racked up 16 straight victories against the neighboring nation and a total of 80 unbeaten games at home against CONCACAF teams.
Spanish coach Pedro Lopez, Mexico's coach, said: “I am proud of my players. They came out with boldness, courage and enthusiasm to play a great match against a power like the United States.”
He thanked, saying: “It was amazing to see the fans supporting Mexico. I think this gave us strength.” “I hope this result is not disastrous for Mexico, but that we can repeat it (…) It will not help if we do not qualify for the semi-finals.”
For the United States, the defeat represents another loss of confidence in the rebuilding process that began after last year's failure at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where it was eliminated in the round of 16, and its first main goal is the Paris Olympics. games. .
Veteran striker Alex Morgan admitted, “We did not play to our best.” “We didn't take advantage of our chances. They dropped us easily, and Mexico played very well.”
Interim coach Twyla Kilgore said that this result “shows how far the game has come and how there are no easy games anymore. If we do not take responsibility and execute well, these things will be expected.”
Kilgour, who will make room for Emma Hayes when the season starts with Chelsea, said, “But we have not lost anything. Now we have five days to prepare for our next match… I am sure the group will be very excited.” finish . .
-Mexican night in California-
The United States, which defeated the Dominican Republic 5-0 and Argentina 4-0 in its opening matches, took to the court with a very aggressive plan against Mexico.
The proposal gave them possession, but also left wide spaces in the defensive back that their intelligent opposition exploited to perfection.
In one of those moves, Mexico threw a ball into the American court, and Offaly chased it until a fatal error from veteran Becky Sauerbrunn.
The centre-back, with 219 caps under her belt, attempted to clear the ball off the wing, but the ball rebounded to Offaly, who then cut it past goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and scored 1-0 with a precise shot over two defenders.
On a cold, rainy night, the goal shook the stands as 11,000 fans took turns cheering for the two teams.
The second half began with the same futile dominance for the USA, who barely created any danger with deflected shots from Alex Morgan and Trinity Rodman.
Mexico crowned the victory in stoppage time with a wonderful goal from Mayra Pelayo, who reached the edge of the penalty area, passed her defender and fired a missile at the opposing team, which sparked celebration from the Mexicans in the stands.
– Argentina is still alive –
In the other match, Argentina achieved its first victory in the tournament by defeating the Dominican Republic 3-0.
Delilah Ippolito opened the scoring in the 30th minute, then Celeste dos Santos and Maricel Pereira sealed Albiceleste's win in the 76th and 90th+4 minutes in front of a few hundred fans in the stands, which on Sunday were filled with the sight of Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami team. vs. Los Angeles Galaxy.
Argentina, one of the four South American teams invited to the event along with Brazil, Colombia and Paraguay, is awaiting the results of the other two keys to determine whether it can qualify as one of the top two third teams.
Argentine coach German Portanova emphasized: “Regardless of whether we qualified or not, I think we presented a good competition. We competed well and this gives us impetus to continue growing.”
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