Hugo Ayala goal puts Mexico past Bosnia & Herzegovina

The Mexico national team started their year on the right foot with a 1-0 victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina, in El Tri’s first friendly ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Despite having a roster composed solely of MLS and Liga MX players, Mexico impressed early and quickly demonstrated to be the more technical side of the two, although Bosnia & Herzegovina also fielded a team lacking its usual stars.

El Tri almost took quick advantage of their dominance when Giovani dos Santos whiffed a shot towards the Bosnian keeper before Carlos Vela took his chance from long range. Mexico wasted chance after chance, however, and the game finished scoreless at the break.

Mexico’s advantage continued after halftime, and a near-post chance from Nestor Araujo almost gave Mexico the lead early on.

In the 57th minute, it was time for Rayados midfielder Jonathan Gonzalez’s much awaited debut with the National Team, replacing Elias Hernandez in the midfield. Gonzalez, a dual-national, made headliners earlier in the month after publicly switching his national team allegiance from the United States to Mexico.

Moments later, El Tri would finally capitalize on their dominance. A Jonathan dos Santos corner would find Hugo Ayala inside the box to head home the breakthrough.

Bosnia & Herzegovina’s night then went from bad to worse when Almir Bekic was sent off with a second yellow.

At the end, Mexico were unlucky not to score more than one goal, as Juan Carlos Osorio’s side comfortably earned a 1-0 victory in front of a passionate crowd in San Antonio, Texas.