In Charlotte, Mexico’s national team lost 3-2 to Ecuador because it didn’t have the best players. El Tri scored on two occasions to equalize in front of a pro Mexico crowd of 39.887 at Bank of America Stadium. Ecuador won the final match with 15 minutes remaining.
The international friendly between the countries was not within the FIFA international windows. As a result, neither team could release their top players from their clubs.
It was obvious that the Mexican side had difficulty communicating with Ecuador when it attacked with numbers. The Ecuadoreans scored on almost every serious attack, which seemed especially easy. Three goals were scored by Ecuador on the three only shots it had at goal.
Mexico held possession (71% vs. 29%), shots (19-6) & shots on goal (9-3), so Ecuador’s ‘keeper had to make seven saves.
Three goals were scored in the first 15 minutes. Mexico tied the game at 1-1 after Cruz Azul’s teammates, Santi Gimenez (Piojo) Alvarado, combined for an easy win. Mexico’s equalizer at 2-2 was the highlight of the match. Left back Osvaldo Rod put his laces through it and sent a soaring shot under the crossbar.
Mexico’s attack lost its flow and the subs began to enter the game. Mexico struggled to find attacking ideas beyond set pieces. Mexico had one last chance to tie the game at 3-3 deep in stoppage, but Ecuador’s goalkeeper stopped Eduardo Aguirre, Mexico substitute forward.
Both teams used the game to impress fringe players and younger players. They were able to show their coaches that they are worthy of being called up for the World Cup qualifier.
Mexico’s central midfielders Erik Lira and Ricardo “Canelo” Angulo, along with winger Roberto “Piojo” Alvarado, impressed against Ecuador. However, Alvarado is the only player who has a realistic chance to make it into a World Cup squad due to his outstanding qualities. Santi Gimenez, Eduardo Aguirre and Eduardo Aguirre did not perform well as defenders. They were also not able to exploit their attacking chances enough to challenge the first-choice forwards.
Postgame, Mexico manager Gerardo Tata’ Martino said to TUDN that he told the players that he would lie to them if he claimed that they had a 90% chance of making it. “But even if they have a chance of five to ten percent, they should not lose heart.” They showed great hope today and are eager to continue being part of the team.
Mexico vs. Ecuador final score
1H-2H Final
Mexico 1 1 2
Ecuador 2 1 3
Goals
ECU — Jhonny Quinonez — 2nd min.
MEX — Roberto ‘Piojo’ Alvarado (Santi Gimenez) — 6th min.
ECU — Janner Corozo (Michael Estrada) — 15th min.
MEX — Osvaldo Rodriguez — 59th min.
ECU — Walter Chala, Djorkaeff Reasco — 75th minute.
Mexico vs. Ecuador live updates & highlights
Final: Mexico 2, Ecuador 3
92nd minute. Eduardo Aguirre had the equalizer for his foot! 1-on-1 against the charging keeper, and the chance is lost. Aguirre was able to score a fantastic through ball from behind.
90th minute. : Three minutes stoppage time
89th minute. 89th minute.
85th minute. 85th minute. Mexico’s flow was also affected by the subs. It’s unclear if it can increase its attack. Ecuador will try to win the match.
75th minute. : Goal Ecuador! Mexico’s backline falls asleep on a throw in and Reasco beats Haret Ortega and Cota to the ball. He then pokes it to Chala wide open for the tap-in. The Ecuador subs team up for the goal.
70th minute. : Mexico’s Aguirre’s first chance on a corner given by Ricardo Canelo Angulo. The header is large.
65th min. : SUBS – Ecuador makes two subs. Then, Mexico gets two more subs. Eduardo Aguirre continues for Santi Gimenez, while Alejandro Zendejas enters to Uriel Antuna. Like for like subs.
64th minute. 64th min. He takes the ball down and fires at the goalkeeper from 20 yards.
60th minute. 60th minute. The goalkeeper saves the shot, and the ball is released to Osvaldo Rodrguez who fires a rising shot underneath the crossbar. Spectacular. 2-2
58th minute. Mexico gets a free kick starting at 20 yards. Erik Lira fires just the right amount of rebound after Santi Gimenez hits the ball against the wall.
55th min. : Mexico chance! El Tri patiently holds the ball, and then it accelerates. Piojo Alvarado was able to find his clubmate Santi Gimenez using a through ball. However, his shot missed the side nets.
49th minute. 49th minute. It was Ecuador’s Michael Estrada who went in the book, and Mexico’s Kevin Alvarez for his tackle on Janner Corozo (left winger) probably should have been sent off. Alvarez could have been arrested if there had been VAR in Charlotte. Alvarez escapes with a yellow.
48th min. : Mexico chance! Cross by Uriel Antuna, header from Santi Gimenez at the ‘keeper
46th minute. : The second half is underway. Rodolfo Costa is Mexico’s new goalkeeper, replacing Jonathan Orozco. Kevin Alvarez comes in for Jose ‘Avion’ Ramirez at right back.
Halftime: Mexico 1, Ecuador 2
Halftime: The game was explosive at the beginning, but it ended up being a disappointing stalemate. After two early goals by Ecuador, Mexico was easily breached. However, South Americans failed to make many offensive moves after the strong start. The Ecuadoreans were able to defend the one-goal advantage despite the Cruz Azul goal of Piojo Alvarado and Santi Gimenez. Mexico held 66% of possession (34%) and outshot its competitors, but Ecuador’s goalkeeper couldn’t be bothered. Alvarado made a long-distance goal and Ecuador had a few set pieces to end the half. But Ecuador was able to handle them all.
47th min. Chance for Mexico Piojo Alvarado cuts across the middle, and his shot is blocked. It falls to Mexico forward Santi Gimenez, but he’s offside.
45th minute. 45th minute
44th minute. 44th minute
38 minutes. 38th min. This leads to a shot from the distance that is deflected for an Ecuador goal kick.
32nd minute. Ricardo Angulo inserts the set piece into his box. However, his teammates are unable to connect and Ecuador is able to clear the danger. Mexico controlling proceedings now. However, Ecuador will move vertically fast if it wins the ball.
26th minute. 26th min. Foul called.
15th minute. : Ecuador attacks again and another goal! Janner Corozo and Michael Estrada are in a give-and-go. Corozo scores another shot, which bounces past Mexico’s goalkeeper.
9th minute. 9th min. It’s an open game. It is clear that players have something to prove.
6th min. Goal Mexico Wow, what a reaction from El Tri. After a run in to the box, forward Santi Gmenez is now on the ground and still flicks the ball towards Piojo Alvarado who taps it home.
5th minute. 5th min. Mexico has not protested.
2nd min. : Goal Ecuador! Ecuador scores a goal just 90 seconds into the game. Cross from the left, but Osvaldo Rod’s header clearance went straight to the middle box. Ecuador’s Jhonny Quionez managed to score a goal past the ‘keeper.
1st min. : We’re underway. Ecuador in early possession
8.59 PM: Jonathan Orozco, Mexico’s captain and goalkeeper, takes the microphone and sends a message to all the fans asking them to respect the players and their fellow fans.
8:58 PM: Anthems are finished. It’s time to play the coin toss, with Ted Unkel as referee.
9:26 PM: Ecuador’s Michael Estrada will face off against Toluca’s Liga MX players:
Mexico vs. Ecuador: Lineups
Gerardo “Tata” Martino, Mexico’s coach, called up 18 players to this camp. However, the call-ups don’t include Monterrey and Club America starters who will be playing in Thursday’s CONCACAF Champions League final.
The 18-year old Karel Campos was called up as a backup player for Club America after Erick Sanchez sustained an injury. Campos was a previous training invitee for the senior Mexican national team camps.
Mexico lineup (4-3-3, right to left): 1-Jonathan Orozco-GK (Tijuana) — 16-Jose ‘Avion’ Ramirez (Leon), 13-Haret Ortega (Toluca), 4-Jesus Angulo (Atlas), 5-Osvaldo Rodriguez (Leon) — 8-Fernando Beltran (Chivas), 17-Erik Lira (Pumas UNAM), 7-Ricardo Angulo (Chivas) — 10-Uriel Antuna (Chivas), 9-Santiago Gimenez (Cruz Azul), 11-Roberto ‘Piojo’ Alvarado (Cruz Azul)
Mexico subs (5): 12-Rodolfo Cota-GK (Leon) for Orozco (46′) — 2-Kevin Alvarez (Pachuca) for Ramirez (46′) — 19-Eduardo Aguirre (Santos Laguna) for Gimenez (66′) — 15-Alejandro Zendejas (Necaxa) for Antuna (66′) — 6-Alan Cervantes (Santos Laguna) for R. Angulo (74′)
Mexico subs not used (2). 3-Victor Guzman, Tijuana, 18-KarelCampos (Club America).
Gustavo Alfaro, Ecuador’s Argentine coach, will be trying out young talent. The Ecuadorean press suggests that he is looking for replacements for three starters who are all suspended due to yellow card accumulation.
According to reports, the formation will be a 4-3-2-3 with Hernan Galindez, a 34-year old goalkeeper, and Michael Estrada (a forward for Mexico’s Toluca), at the center. In parentheses, players’ clubs teams are listed.
Ecuador starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): 1-Hernan Galindez-GK (U. Catolica) — 4-Andres Lopez (U. Catolica), 3-Marlon Mejia (Emelec), 18-Luis Segovia (Indep. del Valle), 6-Christian Cruz (LDU Quito) — 8-Jhonny Quinonez (Aucas), 21-Julio Ortiz (Delfin), 5-Michael Carcelen (Barcelona S.C.) — 19-Nilson Angulo (LDU Quito), 11-Michael Estrada (Toluca), 7-Janner Corozo (Delfin)
Ecuador subs (5): 14-Jose Carabali (U. Catolica) for Ortiz (65′) — 9-Djorkaeff Reasco (LDU Quito) for Corozo (65′) — 16-Walter Chala (U. Catolica) for Angulo (72′) — 20-Danny Cabezas (Nueve de Octubre) for Estrada (82′) — 23-Joshue Quinonez (Barcelona S.C.) for Lopez (82′)
Ecuador subs (3): 22-Jose Gabriel Cevallos-GK (Olmedo), 12-Jorge Pinos-GK (Nueve de Octubre), 17-Alexander Alvarado (Orlando City)
How to watch Mexico vs. Ecuador
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 27
Time: 9 p.m. ET
Spanish-language TV: UniMas and TUDN
Streaming: fuboTV
Mexico vs. Ecuador will be shown on UniMas, TUDN and fuboTV. New users can get a 7-day free trial of fuboTV.
The match will take place at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, which is the home of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers as well as future home of Major League Soccer side Charlotte FC.
