Mexico suffered its worst loss in nearly three years on Thursday when Edinson Cavani and Uruguay battered El Tri in a friendly game 3-0 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Cavani was involved in all three of Uruguay’s goals against a rough looking Mexico side.
Mexico vs Uruguay Highlights
The first 15 minutes looked promising for Tata Martino’s side as Mexico looked in control of the game and was dominating possession. Mexico’s grip on the game started to slip as the half wore on and Uruguay began creating the more dangerous opportunities, whacking the post in the 14th minute.
¡Cerca Uruguay del primero!
Valverde revienta el poste derecho de Talavera¡EN VIVO! https://t.co/NGqehBRzrH
TUDN, @UniMas y https://t.co/T8lpgqtF3M #CaminoAQatar pic.twitter.com/EOTJl3d2iz
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) June 3, 2022
Uruguay made the breakthrough via a corner kick in the 35th minute when a wide open Cavani put a strong header on goal that Alfredo Talavera couldn’t hang on to. Talavera, who turns 40 in September, is eyeing a ticket to Qatar but will have wished to do better with the initial header.
The ball fell precariously in front of goal and Raúl Jiménez was whisked to the side as Matías Vecino poked in the game’s opening goal.
⚽ ¡Gooool de Uruguay!
⚽ ¡Gooool de Uruguay!
⚽ ¡Gooool de Uruguay!Talavera deja la pelota en el área y entre Vecino y Giménez la mandan guardar¡EN VIVO! https://t.co/NGqehBRzrH
TUDN, @UniMas y https://t.co/T8lpgqtF3M #CaminoAQatar pic.twitter.com/BDo4znOQGo
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) June 3, 2022
Tecatito Corona had Mexico’s best chance of the first half in the closing stages. The Sevilla forward did well to evade a defender but then put a disappointing, weak shot on goal that was never going to trouble Uruguay goalkeeper Sergio Rochet.
¡Tecatito perdona el tanto del empate!
Sacó un buen recorte pero el remate salió muy débil¡EN VIVO! https://t.co/NGqehBRzrH
TUDN, @UniMas y https://t.co/T8lpgqtF3M #CaminoAQatar pic.twitter.com/87fpy17PE3
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) June 3, 2022
Mexico wouldn’t get another shot on target until the 87th minute courtesy of a tame Héctor Herrera free kick.
Mexico looked most vulnerable on its left side. Uruguay had a field day exploiting the weakness and created both second half goals from that side.
Whatever pep talk Tata gave El Tri at halftime was thrown right out the window as it took Uruguay all of 15 seconds to score. Facundo Pellistri dribbled by two Mexico players like it was nothing and then set it up on a plate for Cavani to fire in.
⚽ ¡Gooool de Uruguay!
⚽ ¡Gooool de Uruguay!
⚽ ¡Gooool de Uruguay!Cavani marca con solo 15 segundos de iniciado el 2T¡EN VIVO! https://t.co/RsxZ8Rr8iR
TUDN, @UniMas y https://t.co/T8lpgqtF3M #CaminoAQatar pic.twitter.com/4qlTN2YSOd
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) June 3, 2022
Cavani would find the net eight minutes later to make it 3-0. Again the left side for Mexico was non-existent and again the Manchester United man put the ball into Mexico’s net.
⚽ ¡Gooool de Uruguay!
⚽ ¡Gooool de Uruguay!
⚽ ¡Gooool de Uruguay!Doblete de Edinson Cavani ¡3-0!¡EN VIVO! https://t.co/RsxZ8Rr8iR
TUDN, @UniMas y https://t.co/T8lpgqtF3M #CaminoAQatar pic.twitter.com/2g9G6IngZl
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) June 3, 2022
Thursday’s 3-0 defeat is Mexico’s worst since Argentina outclassed El Tri 4-0 during a friendly in Sept. 2019.
Was Mexico that bad Thursday night or was Uruguay that good? It seemed to be a bit of both as Uruguay took advantage of its chances scoring three of its four shots on target and Mexico couldn’t produce in the final third.
Uruguay will look to complete a Concacaf sweep with two more friendlies against North American opposition. First will be a trip to Kansas City to play the U.S. on Sunday then a home game against Jamaica on June 11.
Mexico will look to bounce back against Ecuador on Sunday in Chicago at Soldier Field Sunday before two Nations League games vs. Suriname and Jamaica.
