El Tri dismantles France in Olympics opener
Mexico had a dream start to its quest for Olympic gold, dismantling France with a 4-goal second-half display led by Alexis Vega and Diego Lainez.
The defense looked steady as well with Luis Romo – the MVP of Cruz Azul’s run to the Liga MX title – patrolling the middle of the field in front of the back line with aplomb. Johan Vázquez also played well in front of goalie Memo Ochoa.
The result was a pleasant surprise for Mexico fans who have watched the El Tri squad at the Gold Cup play with disinterest and ineffectiveness.
El Tri Olímpico next plays host Japan (a 1-0 winner over South Africa) on Sunday morning, Mexico City time. They’ll finish up the group stage (Group A) on Wednesday against South Africa
El Tri gets off on the right foot
After a taut first half that saw Ochoa make a couple nice saves, Mexico opened it up in the second half.
Just 90 seconds after the restart, Lainez left a France defender in the dust and accelerated deep into the box where he chipped a cross with his weaker right foot, serving up a beauty that Vega – crossing over from the back side – headed powerfully inside the near post.
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Just a minute later, Vega was denied from point blank range after a sweet drop-off pass from Henry Martín. France goalie Paul Bernardoni made the save with his feet.
El Tri fans didn’t have to wait long for their next shouts of joy. In minute 54, Charlie Rodríguez lofted a pass behind the defense and Sebastián Córdova swooped in and blasted home from 15 meters.
Less than 10 minutes later, André-Pierre Gignac was at the penalty spot, staring down Ochoa. The Tigres man beat the América netminder (just barely) to narrow the deficit to 2-1.
In minute 80, sub Uriel Antuna cut right-to-left across the box and zipped a left-footer that clanged off the inside of the far post and El Tri was back up by 2. Another sub, Eduardo Aguirre, chased a loose ball into the box and fired in from a sharp angle for Mexico’s fourth goal just as the clock hit 90.
Next. Mexico gets wounded Honduras in Gold Cup. dark
Coach Jimmy Lozano looked pleased as he watched his team play with poise and energy (characteristics the Gold Cup squad has lacked). El Tri outshot France 14-12 and managed 7 shots on goal (compared to France’s 4).