Mexico beat Guatemala 2-1 on a beautiful evening at the New Meadowlands Stadium. The crowd of 70,000 plus fans cheered as goal scoring sensation Javier Hernandez scored a spectacular goal to give El Tri the lead.
In a game that was dominated by Mexico from start to finish, our neighbors to the south showed little in the way of results. An early mishap by the Mexican back line allowed Philadelphia Union striker Carlos Ruiz to sneak in and give Guatemala a 1-0 lead.
But after that goal, keeper Alfredo Talavera patted his defenders on the back and acted like it never happened.
The remaining 85 minutes were played in the Guatemalan half. Besides a few counter attacks, Mexico controlled the game, relentlessly peppering Guatemalan keeper Ricardo Jerez from all over the field.
Mexico squandered countless chances and Jerez made some fantastic saves. But opportunities kept on coming.
Mexico finally broke through with a rebound goal from substitute Aldo De Nigres moments after coming on in the 46th minute. Hernandez would supply the game-winner 20 minutes later.
What is truly frightening about Mexico is they have now proven that they are a total team. It was the first time in the tournament that they had been behind. It was the first time that everything they shot didn't go in. It was the first time everything didn't go their way. But they kept pressing and it paid of in a trip to the semifinals.
You can tell by watching the game that the frustration was beginning to grow, but they never let it affect their play. They knew they were the better side and they knew they were going to win this game. The only question was when and how.
What makes Mexico the clear favorites is that this is the style of play they have adopted. With Hernandez on the field, they know they will score goals and because of that they have no reason to panic.
As long as they continue to play their game, the goals will come. After all, they are the most talented team in the tournament.
Watching the US play Guadaloupe the other night you could see frustration boil over onto the pitch. They took erratic shots, became selfish, and began to yell at one another. They won only because Jozy Altidore scored one of the goals of the tournament.
This was the opposite way Mexico approached the game and it it led to an embarrassing 1-0 win against a team that is not even recognized by FIFA. The US should take a long look at Mexico tonight and try and take something away from it.
Unfortunately, it may already be too late. Mexico has already mastered what the US has yet to learn.
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