Mexico vs. Canada result: Canadians hold El Tri to 1-1 draw at Estadio Azteca

by 24USATVOct. 8, 2021, 4 a.m. 65
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Canada had the statement game it was hoping to deliver. The Canadian men’s national team showed it's a legitimate contender for a ticket to the World Cup, going into the Estadio Azteca and holding powerhouse Mexico to a 1-1 draw in a CONCACAF World Cup qualifier. And with a little luck, the visitors could’ve even come away with all three points from a stadium in which it last earned a result in 1980.

Mexico hit the back of the net first in the 21st minute and it looked like perhaps El Tri would cruise at home after getting the key breakthrough goal. But Canada didn’t bow down and mounted a furious reaction, creating multiple chances until it found a sensational equalizer through Jonathan Osorio before halftime.

"It was a complicated game. They have very vertical players, very quick," Mexico goal scorer Jorge Sanchez told TUDN after the match. "It was a game that didn't turn out so well."

Canada outshot Mexico in the first half and kept 50 percent possession, which is unheard of for visitors to the Azteca during World Cup qualifying. Its best opportunities saw Tajon Buchanan, Alphonso Davies and Richie Laryea at the center of the action. And it was Davies who slotted a ball to Osorio for the equalizer. Mexico ‘keeper Guillermo ‘Memo’ Ochoa also came up with some key saves to thwart the visiting team in the first half.

The second half saw Canada play a bit more conservatively, sitting back and absorbing pressure, using Alphonso Davies and Tajon Buchanan to hit back on the counterattack. But Canada’s defense was stout in front of wave after wave of Mexican attacks, led by the trident of Chucky Lozano, Tecatito Corona and returning center forward Raul Jimenez, who spent nearly a full year on the sidelines due to a skull fracture.

"We're left with this bittersweet taste. We have to keep working so that the results are in our favor," Jimenez told TUDN postgame. "There were lapses of the game in which we suffered, but we know that we have a good team. We know what we want to do ... We needed a bit more calm in the final third of the field."

88th min.: Chucky Lozano with a shot at the near post that goes off the side netting. Some fans in the stadium got the optical illusion of a goal.

86th min.: Charles-Andreas Brym comes in for Jonathan David. We didn't say his name much at all today.

80th min.: After a Mexico sub (Luis Romo for Hector Herrera) Canada nearly breaks out on the counter, but the ball is deflected and the action is thwarte

78th min.: Chance for Canada. A cross in the Mexico box was cleared for a corner. Moments later a header on a corner forces Mexico 'keeper Memo Ochoa to go flying.

76th min.: SUBS - Triple sub for Canada. Liam Fraser (for Mark-Anthony Kaye), Liam Millar (for Jonathan Osorio) and Sam Adekugbe for Alistair Johnston who was having some tough moments on the back line.

73rd min.: What a play by Alphonso Davies. After losing the ball to Mexico right back Jorge Sanchez, he chases back and pokes the ball away. Davies made it look easy.

71st min.: SUBS - Mexico makes two changes. The speedy Uriel Antuna replaces Tecatito Corona. Charly Rodriguez will replace Andres Guardado in central midfield.

69th min.: Yellow card for Tajon Buchanan who pulls down Chucky Lozano. On the ensuring set piece, Hector Herrera fires the ball right at Maxime Crepeau.

66th min.: Raul Jimenez scores, but it's called off for a foul committed by Jimenez on center back Steven Vitoria, who went down.

65th min.: Nearly an own goal! Alistair Johnston with a header toward his own goal and it touches the crossbar. Crepeau was beat.

59th min.: The referee stops play for a moment for a homophobic chant. And there's a warning in the stadium. The corner is finally taken by Mexico, but there's no goal threat.

58th min.: Tecatito is angry. Canada 'keeper Maxime Crepeau with the stop on a shot by Corona. It's a Mexico corner.

56th min.: Frustration from Tecatito Corona, who is stuffed by Richie Laryea and the two teams come together. Both Corona and Laryea get a yellow card caution. There's more to come from those two.

54th min.: Smart foul by Stephen Eustaquio who stops a Mexico counter and gets a yellow card for it.

53rd min.: Maxime Crepeau gets away with one. He attempted to throw the ball in the box, but Chucky Lozano was in the way and he had to hug the Mexican player to keep hold of it. Strange play. Could've been called a foul, but the referee thought better of it with Lozano heading away from goal. But a foul is a foul.

47th min.: We're underway and Mexico immediately on the front foot with two headers. Jesus Gallardo's header is deflected for a corner. On the ensuing set piece Raul Jimenez got a head on it, but he couldn't direct it on goal as he fell backwards.

Halftime: Mexico may have scored the first goal, but Canada played the better half. The visitors started strong, created several shots, but it was Mexico which was more clinical in front of goal. It showed on the goal by right back Jorge Sanchez. It started with a diagonal ball out of the back to the left, then Chucky Lozano did the rest, feeding Sanchez in the box for the goal. Canada's most dangerous chances came from runs by Tajon Buchanan, Alphonso Davies and Richie Laryea. But it was Jonathan Osorio who netted the equalizer with a surprise run into the Mexico box. It was a deserved equalizer after Memo Ochoa thwarted Canada on a few tries. A fun second half is in store.

42nd min.: And Canada gets its goal! Alphonso Davies in a central position dishes the through ball for Jonathan Osorio in the box and he tucks it home, away from the goalkeeper. It's 1-1!

40th min.: Another Canada chance! This time it's a set piece and Steven Vitoria heads it right at goalkeeper Memo Ochoa, who reacts to the point-blank shot and pats it away.

36th min.: Richie Laryea with another shot for Canada. It's been all Canada in the last 10 minutes. With a little more accuracy, Canada could be level by now.

34th min.: Mistake by Mexico almost punished by Tajon Buchanan. He fires another shot on goal that's saved for a corner. But nothing comes of it.

31st min.: Alphonso Davies misses the equalizer! Great play by Tajon Buchanan, again on the right side. He was double-teamed, but still got the cross off and it found Davies on the far post, but the Bayern star missed the target with the goal at his mercy.

21st min.: Goal Mexico! Chucky Lozano again on the left side starts the play and he lofts it to right back Jorge Sanchez who pushes into the box, controls it and fires home. Well done by the Mexican defender and delightful ball from Chucky.

18th min.: Good look for Chucky Lozano! Raul Jimenez feeds Chucky on the left, but his curling right-footed shot goes wide and doesn't test goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau.

15th min.: Chance for Canada! Richie Laryea with a shot on goal and 'keeper Memo Ochoa pushes the ball right to Tajon Buchanan on the right side of the box. Buchanan takes it first time, but fires high of the target. Another warning shot from Canada.

7th min.: Mexico chance! Maxime Crepeau comes up with the save on a Hector Herrera shot from distance. It won't be the toughest shot that he sees today.

1st min.: We're off. Tajon Buchanan with a run down the left and his cross is picked up by Memo Ochoa. Canada not wasting any time to set the tone.

9:40 p.m.: The match is set to kick off. The referee has to tell Canada to break up the huddle.

8:45 p.m.: Fans filing their way through. Masks are required. One hour until kickoff.

6:22 p.m.: It has nearly been a year (last Nov. 14) since these three played together for Mexico:

Tata Martino has options, especially at forward. But he gave everyone the attacking trio they wanted.

Mexico starting lineup (4-3-3, left to right) : 13-Guillermo "Memo" Ochoa-GK — 23-Jesus Gallardo, 2-Nestor Araujo, 3-Cesar Montes, 5-Jorge Sanchez — 18-Andres Guardado (c), 4-Edson Alvarez, 16-Hector Herrera — 17-Jesus "Tecatito" Corona, 9-Raul Jimenez, 22-Hirving "Chucky" Lozano

Herdman confirmed that Atiba Hutchinson, Cyle Larin and Lucas Cavallini have still not recovered from knocks and missed the trip to Mexico. While Herdman is still hopeful he could get the trio back at some point to play in this October window, Canada will definitely be without starting goalkeeper Milan Borjan, who's still recovering from COVID-19.

Junior Hoilett and David Wotherspoon also did not travel with the Canadian team to Mexico due to strict UK quarantine requirements for travelers to Mexico City that would have kicked in upon their return to their Britain-based clubs. Scott Kennedy was not called up due to injury.

How to watch Mexico vs. Canada in USA

The match will be broadcast in the USA by Univision and TUDN in Spanish. Both channels are available to stream on fuboTV with a free 7-day trial available to new users. It will be available in English on CBS streaming platform Paramount+.

The Estadio Azteca in Mexico City will be at 75 percent capacity for the match, the highest cap permitted post-pandemic.

This is a different Canada side, and as long as Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David and Stephen Eustaquio are out there, Les Rouges are capable of scoring — and even winning — despite what history says (three wins in 36 all-time meetings and never in Mexico).

For those feeling extra daring, there are plenty of bold wagering opportunities: Canada double chance (i.e., win or tie at +145) or the Canada double chance parlayed with the over 1.5 total goals (+245). But we’ll play it safer with a recommendation of the Canada +1 Asian Handicap at -125 and shrinking by the hour. If Canada loses by a goal, the wager qualifies as a push. A Canada draw or victory, and you're a winner.
• Both teams to score: Yes +115/No -155

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