Mexico holds Germany to a 2-2 draw in October friendly
- Mexico conclude October international window undefeated
- Uriel Antuna and Erick Sanchez inspire 2-2 draw
- El Tricolor to face Honduras for Copa America slot
The Mexican national team held Germany to a 2-2 draw in front of 62,000 fans on Saturday night at Lincoln Financial Field, as goals from Erick ‘Chiquito’ Sanchez and Uriel Antuna left 'El Tri' undefeated in the October international friendlies.
El Tricolor did well to hold off Germany's offensive efforts early on, before Antonio Rüdiger broke through the Cesar Montes-Johan Vazquez barrier with a header into the net for the first goal of the night.
Germany almost doubled the score with a goal from Thomas Muller, but the Bayern Munich forward was ruled offside. Ochoa capitalized on Germany’s confusion over the ruling, launching the ball to find Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano in the final third to kick off Mexico’s goal-scoring opportunity.
The PSV Eindhoven figure danced through defenders before sending over a short cross to Antuna, who tapped the ball past goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen for the equalizer.
The goal worked to motivate Mexico in the second half, inspiring the efforts of Chiquito Sanchez.
After fending off defenders on the right, Antuna crossed the ball into the 18-yard box for the Pachuca midfielder to find. The 5 '6 player did well to beat 6' 5 Niklas Süle to the ball, before completing the header into the lower left corner.
But Germany limited Mexico's celebrations with a well-timed rebound by Niclas Füllkrug that left the game at the 2-2 draw.
"Today was an important step to measure ourselves against a top rival, imposing conditions, making good decisions and coming from behind against this type of rival is not easy," said Jimmy Lozano after the 2-2 draw at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
But the coach quickly looked to November, when the team faces Honduras for a ticket to the Copa America.
"I believe in processes, over time if you have chosen well, every process comes to fruition. In football that is present because it would be of very little use to have a good week in October if the objective is not met in November."
El Tricolor will first travel to Honduras on November 16 for the first leg of the series, before concluding on November 20 at the Estadio Azteca.