Mexico did just enough to fend off Türkiye in Monday’s 1-0 victory in their scheduled friendly. 25,609 fans were in attendance to see El Tri in their final warmup match before kicking off their Concacaf Gold Cup campaign on Saturday, June 14.
The Turkish set the pace in the opening minutes of the match and continued to dominate the opening quarter of an hour. During that period, the fans enjoyed the constant attacking football on both sides of the pitch. Türkiye came close to opening the scoring from a free kick in the 14th minute, with Kaan Ayhan forcing Luis Malagón to make a brilliant save. Türkiye sent another warning after coming very close off a well-coordinated corner kick which saw the shot just inches from the far post. Mexico enjoyed most of their possession in the defensive and midfield area earlier, but Türkiye’s constant press hindered them from creating much in the final third in the first 25 minutes.
Mexico began to look braver and finally created a chance, which saw a great header from Julián Quiñones. The attempt forced a fine save from goalkeeper Berke Özer off the bar and into the path of Orbelín Pineda, who blasted it into goal but was ultimately ruled offside.
Mexico’s momentum continued and gained control of the match, attacking down the left side with Alexis Vega. He played a beautiful ball across the box, which resulted in a shot that was dealt with by Özer. Türkiye’s chances continued to come from the right side and saw another chance just missing the upright by Kenan Yildiz.
Julián Quiñones had a few balls with his back turned to goal in the final third, which resulted in him getting fouled, but this time he misjudged a beautiful cross (which would have been a wide-open header) and headed the ball over the bar. At 41 minutes in, both teams continuously went back and forth. Julián Quiñones went down in the box, appealing for a penalty kick, which the referee waved on for diving. Türkiye immediately went up the pitch and came close to breaking the deadlock with a chance from İrfan Can Kahveci that went just over the bar.
Mexico finally got their reward for being braver in the latter part of the first half and deservedly took the lead. They attacked down the left just before the half ended, winning a throw. The throw-in went into the box with a quick touch by Quiñones, falling perfectly for Pineda, who made no mistake and slotted in the opening goal of the match.
Türkiye started the second half where they left off, pressing Mexico deep in their half, which forced El Tricolor to show their class in possession. Both teams started with more urgency and willingness to go forward. Vega came close after Marcel Ruiz crossed the perfect ball for him, but instead headed it right at the keeper. Mexico finally settled into the game and continued to dominate possession in the first 15 minutes of the second half.
Mexico again played some great football, with César Huerta hitting the left post with a right-footed shot from the center of the box after a nice pass from Jesús Gallardo following a counterattack.
Türkiye, now chasing the game, continued to attack. This time, Çağlar Söyüncü played Orkun Kökçü, whose right-footed shot from outside the box went high and wide.
Türkiye saw its final chance to draw level when Arda Güler played a brilliant cross to Kökçü, who should have done better on the ball, and forced a save from the keeper.
In their final friendly for the summer, Mexico can now make final arrangements before they start their quest for the Gold Cup against the Dominican Republic on Saturday, June 14. Their next MexTour match will be against Japan this fall.
-Mike Brown
Photo: Courtesy of SUM