ESPN presents the notes obtained by those chosen to face the Central American team at the closing of this international window
Mexico equaled one goal against Panama on someone else’s court and ended the first third of elimination duels undefeated towards Qatar 2022, with seven points out of nine possible, after being measured against the rival that presented the greatest complications for Tri in this period.
Panama was presented as the most difficult opponent for El Tri so far in the tie from minute 2, in which Guilllermo Ochoa saved a shot on the line and saved the fall of his frame.
With greater control of the ball and the court, the selected channel player found himself with the goal at 28 ‘, after a weak mark by midfielder Luis Romo in complicity with the rear, as well as an error by the goalkeeper, who failed when trying cut a low ball inside the small area and left it at the feet of Rolando Blackburn to push it.
For the third consecutive game, Araujo was shown as one of the weakest links in the Tri, as it does not provide security to avoid the attacks of the rival and complicates the game in risk areas.
Against Panama, on the goal play, the center-back was static in the front row in front of the ball that ended in a goal, as Rolando Blackburn found a hole behind him to enter the area and connect the ball to the net.
The versatile winger sparked on offense with good long cross serves to look for Rogelio Funes Mori and Jesús CoronaHowever, along with the rest of the rear, he was overcome by the Panamanian momentum fed from the stands.
In addition, thanks to the triple substitution to renew the midfield and center of the attack, the player was looser on offense and made a better mancueran with Córdova than with Pineda.
The most redeemable performance of the defenders went through the boots of César Montes during the 90 ‘, as he was the most attentive and participatory in the struggle to stop Rolando Blackburn, Édgar Barcenas and company, as well as from set pieces with his remarkable 1.91 meters height throughout the duel.
Against Jamaica he was singled out as one of those responsible for the Caribbean goal and, against Panama, he was once again beaten on his flank, as José Luis Rodríguez and Éric Davies were associated on several occasions by that sector of the field to violate the framework of the Tri.
The midfielder went unnoticed on the attack, since the offensive idea of the Tri was to jump the line with long balls to look for Rogelio Funes Mori during the first period.
In the second half, Romo was delayed to support the defensive work, as his presence in attack was not necessary thanks to the changes that worked.
The midfielder served as an inside on the right during the first 45 minutes, however, his work did not weigh on the court and was replaced for the complement by Andrés Guardado.
On the left flank of the second third of the court, the ball went through various episodes in Rodríguez’s boots, who tried several overflows and stepped on the area to rebuild the duel after the goal of Panama. It was released in the tent by Sebastián Córdova.
With the loss of Alexis Vega due to injury, Pineda gave arguments against Jamaica to start this duel, however, he did not shine on the extreme right in comparison as he usually does behind the center forward. He gave way to 60 ‘to Uriel Antuna.
After a performance for oblivion against Costa Rica, ‘Tecatito’ resurfaced against Panama during the second period, in which he touched the ball the most and was the goal man for Tri.
In the first instance, at 64 ‘he tried a cross shot from the left front of the area that zoomed past the post and at 76 ‘he found a ball from a shot by Córdova to the post and shot with the house stamp to equalize the duel.
The naturalized forward went unnoticed during the first 45 minutes, due to the scarce generation of offensive football within the area, and he came out of exchange for Henry Martín for the complement. He ended the first three games of the tie with more doubts than certainty about his ownership.
Alternates
The attacker entered for Rogelio Funes Mori for the second period and showed arguments to receive more minutes with the elastic of the Tri, as he participated in offensive plays and, together with the rest of the revulsives, gave power to the team’s attack.
The midfielder relieved Jonathan dos Santos in the complement and served as the best interior with respect to his teammate, since Mexico besieged the Panamanian door during the second period until it was shot with a goal by Jesús Corona.
As a relay for the complement, Córdova jumped onto the court to associate in a good way on the left flank with Jesús Gallardo and ‘Tecatito’, as well as to step on the area in the fight for the tie, which he almost achieved at 69 ‘with a shot that the goalkeeper took one-handed despite its complexity.
With half an hour ahead of the game, Antuna collaborated with his characteristic speed and overflows on the right wing, which generated danger on several occasions and allowed Corona down the left flank, in which he improved his performance and that of the team in general
The ’10’ of the Mexican National Team against Panama entered the duel with a few minutes ahead on the scoreboard.
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