
Mexico’s final friendly presents a good test ahead of their main commitment, with Serbia on the other side even though the Europeans did not qualify for the World Cup. Mexico were better in the first half but went behind after a fortunate goal from Serbia, before coming back with a Johan Vásquez header and an own goal to take the lead.
It has not been a very comfortable path for Mexico as they get ready to be hosts of the tournament for the third time. Still, they took a positive first step last Saturday when they beat Australia thanks to Vásquez.
The approach is very different for Serbia in this case because they failed to secure a spot in the main competition. Their present is not ideal either after a 3-0 loss to Cape Verde on Sunday.
Mexico make triple substitution
59' Mexico make three changes: Alexis Vega comes on for Julián Quiñones, Guillermo Martínez replaces Brian Gutiérrez, and Israel Reyes comes on for César Montes.
MEXICO GOOAAAL: Raúl Jiménez scores
56' Julián Quiñones takes a shot that hits the post, and Raúl Jiménez takes advantage of the rebound to finish and score for Mexico.
Stefan Bukinac comes close
50' Stefan Bukinac gets a shot away that goes just wide of the post.
Erik Lira replaced by Edson Álvarez
49' Mexico make an early second-half change as Erik Lira goes off and Edson Álvarez comes on.
Second half begins
The second half gets underway with Mexico leading 2-1.
Halftime
45+4' The referee blows for halftime with Mexico leading 2-1 over Serbia.
MEXICO GOOAAAL: Serbia own goal gifts Mexico the lead
45+2' A mistake in Serbia’s build-up play as Stefan Bukinac plays a back pass that does not reach the goalkeeper, resulting in an own goal that puts Mexico ahead before halftime.
Four minutes added
45' The referee signals four minutes of added time at the end of the first half.
Julián Quiñones goes close
45' Julián Quiñones gets a shot away, but his effort drifts just wide of the target.
Álvaro Fidalgo shown a yellow card
43' Álvaro Fidalgo goes into the referee's book and receives a yellow card for Mexico.
Mexico piling up fouls
41' Mexico continue to give away unnecessary fouls and have already committed six during the first half.
Johan Vásquez scores in back-to-back matches
37' This is Johan Vásquez's second consecutive goal for Mexico after also finding the net in El Tri's 1-0 win over Australia last Saturday.
MEXICO GOOAAAL: Johan Vásquez equalizes
34' Brian Gutiérrez delivers a cross into the box, and Johan Vásquez gets on the end of it to score and bring Mexico level.
Raúl Jiménez and Brian Gutiérrez threaten
33' Jesús Gallardo sends in a cross that Raúl Jiménez cannot direct cleanly toward goal. Moments later, Brian Gutiérrez tries his luck with an effort that does not come off as intended, but Mexico earn a corner kick.
Mexico continue to press
30' Mexico are pushing Serbia down the flanks but have yet to make the most of their attacks. Their four corner kicks so far highlight their control of the match despite trailing on the scoreboard.
Match resumes
26' Play is back underway following the hydration break.
Hydration break
24' The referee pauses play for a hydration break as players from both teams head to the sidelines.
Julián Quiñones misses the target
23' Julián Quiñones gets on the end of the ball inside the box for what looked like a good scoring chance, but he strikes it first time and sends his effort well wide of the goal.
Raúl Jiménez denied by Filip Stanković
21' Julián Quiñones picks out Raúl Jiménez with a well-placed pass, and the striker finishes neatly, but Filip Stanković comes up with another save to keep Serbia in front.
SERBIA GOOAAAL: Petar Stanić scores
19' Serbia capitalizes on a fortunate sequence as the ball falls kindly after a rebound, allowing Petar Stanić to find the back of the net and put his team in front.
Vanja Dragojević shown a yellow card
15' Vanja Dragojević receives the first yellow card of the match for Serbia.
Mexico's strong record at this stadium
14' This is Mexico's fourth match at this stadium. El Tri won each of their previous three appearances here against Trinidad and Tobago, Bermuda, and Honduras.
Brian Gutiérrez misses a big chance
9' Raúl Jiménez sets up Brian Gutiérrez, but his shot across goal rolls wide of the target, wasting a great scoring opportunity for Mexico.
Filip Stanković denies Mexico
8' Brian Gutiérrez fires a low shot, but Filip Stanković gets down well to make the save. Moments later, Julián Quiñones follows up with an effort of his own, only for Stanković to come up with another stop.
Mexico controls possession
4' Mexico has started the match on the front foot, controlling possession and dictating the pace of play.
Kickoff
The match between Mexico and Serbia begins.
Serbia confirmed lineup
Mexico confirmed lineup
The group
Mexico were drawn into Group A with South Africa (June 11), South Korea (June 18) and Czechia (June 24), while Serbia failed to qualify.
Where to watch
You can watch this match in the USA on Fubo, DirecTV Stream, FOX Deportes, Univision, TUDN and ViX.
The stadium
The venue for the match is Estadio Nemesio Díez in Toluca, Mexico City, Mexico. It has a capacity of 30,000.
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