Mexico beat Ghana 1-0 in Gold Cup tune-up

While many are focused on Thursday’s Confederations Cup semifinal matchup against Germany, the other Mexico national team opened their preparation ahead of the 2017 Gold Cup with a 1-0 victory over Ghana on Wednesday.

From the start, it became clear that the tempo of the game was going to be dictated by the Africans, although it was El Tri who managed to take a first half lead in the 32nd minute. A penalty was called after Pumas winger Jesus Gallardo was brought down inside the box. From the resultant penalty kick Elias Hernandez sent the ball past the Ghanian keeper to give El Tri the lead.

Not content with conceding, Ghana poured forward and had several chances to level the score in the second half. Raphael Dwamena came close to putting things at 1-1 when he forced a save out of Jose de Jesus Corona, who came on for the injured Moises Muñoz in the first half.

Mexico allowed Ghana to keep pressing, and the closest chance they had to score was when Frank Acheampong rattled the woodwork.

In the end, though, it mattered little as Mexico took the victory. Next, El Tri will continue their Gold Cup preparations on Saturday when they take on Paraguay in Seattle.