Mexico and Australia faced off in an international football friendly. The match took place in the vast Rose Bowl. VAR was in operation and there were mandatory drinks breaks, to replicate World Cup conditions.
Early Exchanges and Tactical Setups
Mexico won a free-kick on the left almost immediately from the kick-off. The delivery caused problems, and the second ball fell to a Mexican player whose snapshot was blocked. An Australian player then deflected the second effort wide for a corner.
Australia are set-up in a 5-2-3 formation, happy to drop into a mid-block and allow Mexico’s defence all the possession they wish. El Tri are lined up in a 4-3-3, aiming to work the ball through the lines from back to front but happy to look for the rangy Guillermo Martínez up top.
Australia had their first chance through industrious work by Metcalfe and Toure. Toure’s cross was too close to Rangel.
Alvarez appeared to drag back Toure as the striker chased a hopeful long ball forward. The referee didn’t even blow his whistle.
Mexican Pressure and Defensive Work
Mexico got back on the ball and worked some nice combinations down the left. Souttar marshalled his defensive crew well and Australia cleared. Bos then darted at the Mexican defence but he had the ball nicked away from his toe at the last moment.
Italiano has been busy defending at right back as Mexico look to free Mateo Chavez. Frustrated at the lack of success down that route Luis Chávez walloped a missile from range over the bar.
Aguirre cuts a terrifying figure on the touchline, bellowing instructions. His side is dominating possession and working the ball briskly through midfield but Circati stands up well and almost turns defence into attack with some quick feet.
Team Uniforms and Fan Support
Australia are wearing their latest iteration of gold and green. Mexico, by contrast, are blacked out from shoulder to ankle in an absolute beauty of a uniform. Adidas have been doing a grand job in that department for a while now.
Advance Australia Fair is mumbled politely by a few dozen hardy souls before Himno Nacional Mexicano is absolutely belted out by tens of thousands of Mexican fans. Those moments are going to be quite the spectacle during the World Cup in Mexico City.
Manager, Javier Aguirre, has turned friendlies and regional competitions into character tests. Aguirre’s footballing idea is far more pragmatic than aesthetic. Mexico do not try to dominate through endless possession; they play with.