Canada earns tie against Mexico at Azteca Stadium on road to World Cup
Author of the article:
Derek Van DiestPublishing date:
Oct 08, 2021 • 20 minutes ago • 5 minute read • Join the conversation
Alphonso Davies of Canada battles for possesion with Hirving Lozano of Mexico during the match between Mexico and Canada as part of the Concacaf 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier at Azteca Stadium on October 07, 2021 in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Hector Vivas /Getty Images Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.
Article contentFor years the Canadian men’s national soccer team had been a punching bag for Mexico at the famed Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, but on the road to 2022 FIFA World Cup that no longer is the case.
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Article contentNot with this edition of the Canadian team, who is putting together a strong case to be one of the three automatic qualifiers from Concacaf at the World Cup in Qatar.
Jonathan Osorio scored in the 42nd minute to give Canada a 1-1 tie against Mexico at Azteca on Thursday in a Concacaf World Cup qualifier. It was the first time Canada has not lost in Mexico since 1980, and a game they definitely could have won.
“We wanted to get the three points (for win), you could see we put on a striker on in the 90th minute to try and get that win in Azteca,†said Canada head coach John Herdman. “I’m content with the point, but at the same time, I think there was an opportunity to take three.
“I think we’ll walk away from this, looking at this in time, thinking we could have taken three tonight.â€
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Article contentCanada has never beaten Mexico on the road, and going into the contest with a talented squad and playing with house money, not expected to get a result, Herdman decided take a run at the best team in the region, playing Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies up the field on the right wing and rising star Tajon Buchanan up front.
The two speedsters terrified Mexican defenders every time the ball went up the field and had them on the back foot from the opening kickoff.
“We learned from our last game against them (Gold Cup), we got an understanding of their pressing tactics and I thought the guys executed really well,†Herdman said. “We were able to draw their pressure and play behind them and then focused on where our strengths were in the front areas.
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Article content“I think the boys executed well and in the second half, we got a bit leggy, you could see that, but I thought we finished strong.â€
Canada had the first good chance of the game when Davies set up Richie Laryea at the top of the Mexican penalty area, which forced goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa to make an outstanding diving save.
Unlike previous visits to Azteca, Canada did not pile players in defence and just attempt to survive for 90 minutes. This Canadian team has attacking talent to threaten Mexico, regardless of where the teams are playing.
“We wanted to open this game up, we had to be brave,†Herdman said. “We had to dare to lose, to win; and I thought there was a lot of courage from the players here tonight. It was easy to come here and park the bus, but we wanted to show that we’re stepping forward and we want to show that there is more to come.
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Article content“I’m happy with the performance and I’m content with the point.â€
Despite the early chances for Canada, it was Mexico who scored first as defender Jorge Sanchez, on a rare run up the field, took a pass lifted over the top of the Canadian defence from Hirving Lozano, and slotted a shot through goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau.
Canada did not defer from its game plan after giving up the goal in the 21st minute, and took the play to Mexico, creating a number of quality chances to tie the game before Osorio’s goal in the 42nd minute.
Davies came close, getting to the end of a low cross from Buchanan from the right wing, but was unable to turn a shot on net.
Later, Stephen Eustaquio floated a free kick to the far post, where centre back Steven Vitoria was able to get a head to, but the ball was batted away by Ochoa as it bounced in front of the goalkeeper.
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Article contentOsorio tied the game with a world-class finish, taking a pass from Davies, played through four Mexican players, controlled it with his right foot and then slotted a left-footed shot into the corner past Ochoa.
“I’ve watched Jonathan grow for the last three years into a solid leader on this team,†Herdman said. “When he first came in, he was an emotional guy. But over the last three years, he’s embraced that leadership and is a big part of setting the culture of this team on and off the pitch.
“He embraced that bravery tonight, he embraced that mentality and for me, it was the best performance I’ve seen him play in a Canadian jersey.â€
The second half was played at a lower pace as the altitude of Mexico City seem to affect players on both teams. Canada did not press as high and Mexico were content to slowly build the ball out of the back.
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Article contentMexico came close to taking the lead in the 64th minute when Canada fullback Alistair Johnston nearly headed the ball into his own net defending a cross. Johnson got to the ball intended for Lozano and tried to head it up over his own net, but the ball bounced off the top of the crossbar and was then cleared by Vitoria.
Later in the half, the game was stopped as Mexican fans behind the Canada net were deemed to be chanting homophobic slurs. This has been a long-standing problem with some Mexican fans and originally the game was to be played without fans as a punishment for behaviour at the Under-23 qualifying tournament.
FIFA had sanctioned the Mexican soccer federation and ruled they had to play the first two home games of the final Concacaf qualifying round in an empty stadium. The ruling was overturned in August, however, and changed to one game, which came when Mexico hosted Jamaica in September.
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Article contentAfter the brief stoppage, play resumed and the teams settled back into a methodical contest looking for the odd break.
Canada nearly got it when Davies got into some space, but was unable to play a final ball across to Jonathan David, who would have been in all alone. Liam Fraser had another excellent chance for Canada to go ahead when he got a header on a corner kick, which Ochoa tipped over the crossbar with 12 minutes to play.
Canada will continue qualifying by travelling to face Jamaica on Sunday, then return home to host Panama on Wednesday at BMO Field in Toronto.
“We’ve look at our three game strategy and said (Thursday) we would push hard,†Herdman said. “We have a group of guys that would go hard and a group that is rested. I have group of warriors ready, and they know that they’re coming into this next game, and I have a group of guys that are super fresh and excited to get after Jamaica.â€
Email: dvandiest@postmedia.com
On Twitter: @DerekVanDiest
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