Mexico salvaged a 2-2 draw against 10-man Algeria on Tuesday with Jesús Corona’s beautiful opener pegged back by goals from Ismaël Bennacer and Riyad Mahrez before Diego Lainez provided one final flourish to the script in The Hague.
It looked like the perfect first half for El Tri after Tecatito exchanged passes on the break with Raúl Jiménez before chipping Raïs M'Bolhi. Mexico had largely controlled possession despite making five changes to the side that beat the Netherlands last Wednesday, although the midfield — with Edson Álvarez and Andres Guardado dropped to the bench in favor of Jonathan dos Santos and Luis Romo — didn’t look as polished as it had at Johan Cruijff ArenA.
Still, the opener in the 43rd minute was a just reward for Mexico’s play, and Tecatito was a deserving goalscorer after following up his electric performance against the Netherlands with another positive half of play here.
¡Gooooooool de @miseleccionmx!
Señores, apagamos las luces y nos vamos todos. ¡Qué GO-LA-ZO del 'Tecatito'! No tiene nombre.1-0 #PasiónPorTuSelección | #México | #Argelia
En vivo
TUDN
Síguelo aquí https://t.co/mdymXbmu1m pic.twitter.com/j7jrJZaDos— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) October 13, 2020
But just before the break, Algeria’s Sofiane Feghouli laid one off for Bennacer to hammer home from 20 yards out.
¡Gol de Argelia!
Apenas un minuto duró la fiesta. ¡Zapatazo de Bennacer y el jugador del Milan ya empató el partido!1-1 #PasiónPorTuSelección | #México | #Argelia
En vivo
TUDN
Síguelo aquí https://t.co/mdymXbmu1m pic.twitter.com/XTLCRv6L1p— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) October 13, 2020
Things got feisty in the second half and Algerian defensive midfielder Adlène Guedioura earned his second yellow card in the 55th minute for a foul on Jiménez.
Despite the man advantage, Algeria took the lead in the 67th minute after a desperate attempt to build from the back handed Mahrez an opportunity in the box. You don’t want to allow that to happen.
¡Gol de Argelia!
Mahrez aprovecha el error de Jorge Sánchez y Argelia con uno menos ya lo está ganando.1-2 #PasiónPorTuSelección | #México | #Argelia
En vivo
TUDN
Síguelo aquí https://t.co/mdymXbmu1m pic.twitter.com/acgUebt5Wo— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) October 13, 2020
Tata Martino threw on Alan Pulido, Diego Lainez and Guardado in search of an equalizer, and it arrived in the 86th minute after Jiménez met Lainez’s run with a glorious through ball. The 20-year-old’s first goal for Mexico was a good one.
¡Gooooooooool de @miseleccionmx!
Espectacular asistencia de Raúl Jiménez para que Diego Lainez se estrene como goleador de Selección. ¡Despertó el crack!2-2 #PasiónPorTuSelección | #México | #Argelia
En vivo
TUDN
Síguelo aquí https://t.co/mdymXbmu1m pic.twitter.com/rP4zhP5fYw— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) October 13, 2020
Mexico’s next scheduled match is a friendly against South Korea in Austria on Nov. 14.
