Mexico Fall to Classy Colombia

Mexico were unable to extend their unbeaten start to the year as far as a second game as they lost 2-0 to a classy and confident Colombia in front of a crowd of more than 51,000 in Miami on Wednesday night (29/02/12). A much changed line up from that which defeated Venezuela in January, including players based in Europe, was unable to make possessional dominance count, as "El Tri" fell to a goal in each half. The first came after Jesús Zavala (Monterrey) misdirected a defensive header into the path of Dorlon Pabon (Atlético Nacional of Bogota), whose right footed drive from a narrow angle was parried by Mexican keeper Guillermo Ochoa (Ajaccio of France), allowing Falcao (Atlético Madrid) to open the scoring in the 37th minute.

Mexico nearly struck back before the break, Giovanni Dos Santos (theoretically a still Tottenham player) playing Man. United's Chicharito cleverly through to round the keeper, though covering defenders were able to smother the eventual shot after he was pushed wide. On the hour Juan Cuadrado (Lecce) found himself in acres of space in the Mexican penalty area to make it 2-0 after good work down the left by Pablo Armero (Udinese).

This was only the second defeat experienced by Chepo De La Torre since he took over as manager of the Mexican national football team at the start of 2011. He has a lot of work to do before Mexico are next in action, against Wales on May 27th in New Jersey.