Derlis Gonzalez‘s second-half goal gave Paraguay a 1-0 win over Mexico in a friendly on Wednesday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Held during a non-FIFA window, Mexico coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino brought a squad composed entirely of players from Liga MX, with notable Europe-based players such as Raul Jimenez and Hirving Lozano staying back.
Paraguay took charge in the second half when La Albirroja found the back of the net in the 50th minute. Following a shot off the woodwork, Gonzalez picked up the rebound and placed the ball into the back of Carlos Acevedo‘s net.
Despite a total of five subs from Martino during the second half, Mexico failed to sneak anything past Antony Silva. With Paraguay happy to continue giving up possession, El Tri were unable to find an equalizer.
Although both teams utilized alternate rosters, Martino will likely be frustrated with the result that finished with chants of “Fuera Tata” (Tata out) just months away from the World Cup.
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Here is our reaction to Wednesday’s match.
Rapid Reaction
1. Different look, same finishing issues for Mexico
No matter the roster or attacking names placed into the starting XI, Mexico has had no lack of matches this year in which the frontline fails to capitalize on numerous opportunities. Wednesday night was no different. After 23 shots, El Tri walked away empty-handed from the friendly that was initially promising with a near-frenetic start to the game.
Perhaps due to Gerardo “Tata” Martino fielding a false nine through Roberto Alvarado — or the high-flying MOTM-like performance from Antony Silva in net for Paraguay — the absence of a true goalscorer became more and more apparent as the match progressed.
The good news for Martino is that it’s unlikely that most of his alternate players involved in match would be in a strongest XI for Mexico at the World Cup. The bad news though is that a change in squad or players in the field hasn’t done much to alter the team that has now scored one goal or fewer in nine of their 13 matches in all competitions this year.
