Mexicans abroad: Gimenez & Guardado score, Memo Ochoa player of the month

Mexican national team players are back in full force.

The past weekend saw several El Tri in action for European clubs, with Santiago Gimenez and Andres Guardado as starters. The two played pivotal roles in their teams victories, while Erick Gutierrez, Edson Alvarez and Cesar Montes also featured in Eredivisie and La Liga action. 

Here's everything you missed...

1. Andres Guardado scores for Real Betis

Andres Guardado scored the game-winning goal for Real Betis against Almeria, heading the ball past goalkeeper Fernando Martínez in the 70th minute for the 3-2 triumph. It had been a long time since the Mexican scored for Betis, opting instead for a defensive role within the squad. 

“Over the last couple of years my job on the pitch has changed, but I am so happy because it’s always good to help the team. Scoring or not scoring, it’s great to be important for the team and to keep getting minutes, it's something that motivates me a lot. But scoring the goal and getting three points was an extra motivation,” Guardado said after the match. 

He continues to prove his worth in Spain.

2. Guillermo Ochoa: player of the month

Guillermo Ochoa received US Salernitana’s Player of the Month award for January after several stunning performances in goal. The Mexican goalkeeper joined the Serie A team in December, and has since become an integral part of the starting 11. 

The team is slowly improving with Ochoa, climbing the table to 16th with 21 points in 21 games. 

3. Santiago Gimenez scores again

Santiago Gimenez recorded his 10th goal for Feyenoord on Sunday, scoring the second goal for the team against Heerenveen.

The Mexican has been adapting well to the Eredivisie since joining in July from Liga MX’s Cruz Azul. He’s formed an integral part of the team in regular season and Europa League matches, working his way into the starting 11. 

His efforts have propelled Feyenoord to first on the Eredivisie table with 46 points in 21 games and a record of 13W-1L-7D. After lifting the league trophy with Cruz Azul, Gimenez is well on his way to winning a title with Feyenoord.

4. Honorable mentions:

Erick Gutierrez played 15 minutes in PSV's 6-0 victory over Groningen.

Cesar Montes continues to start for RCD Espanyol in La Liga.

Edson Alvarez shines as a center-back for Ajax.