WALES have beaten Mexico for the first time ever – in Chris Gunter’s 100th international game, thanks to Kieffer Moore’s stylish finish.
Gareth Bale was on the bench for the first 80 minutes but did get some more game time in his legs as the Dragons tried out some new talent.
- FINAL SCORE: Wales 1-0 Mexico
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THAT’S ALL FROM CARDIFF
Wales picked up a famous 1-0 victory over Mexico at the Cardiff City Stadium in an international friendly match.
The Dragons’ victory marked the first ever time they beat the Latin Americans after five efforts on the same night that Chris Gunter amassed 100 caps.
The hosts ended El Tri’s 10-match unbeaten run, which extended all the way back to September 2019, thanks to Kieffer Moore’s winner.
Moore picked up a clever pass from Jonny Williams while unmarked inside Guillermo Ochoa’s box and found the back of the net with a smooth finish after 11 minutes.
Mexico came close to an equaliser twice with HirvinG Lozano who was denied by an impressive Wayne Hennessey.
The visitors almost stole a late equaliser when Jesus Corona failed to hit the target from close range on the final minute of stoppage time.
That’s all from us here in Cardiff, have a great night!
GETTY IMAGES THAT’S A KIEFFER
Wales picked up an impressive victory over Mexico thanks to Kieffer Moore’s winner.
Moore got a clever cross from Jonny Williams, who found him unmarked inside Mexico’s box.
The Cardiff star got a neat touch and finished off Guillermo Ochoa with a fine finish.
Check it out:
GUNTER REACTS
Wales star Chris Gunter reached 100 international caps and revealed he was always after that record especially when he reached 90 appearances for the national team.
Gunter said: “I want to turn up and play for Wales, so once you get to the 90s then of course you want to get to 100.
“I wanted to do it in the end for my family, for my friends who I know will be extremely proud.
“It’s a shame no one could be here, but they don’t need to tonight”
GETTY IMAGES
WHAT’S NEXT
Wales regained some confidence following Wednesday’s 3-1 loss to Belgium away.
The Dragons are now set to take on the Czech Republic in a World Cup qualifier at home on Tuesday.
The Welsh players will then rejoin their clubs before coming back on June 5 for an international friendly with Albania.
They will then kick off their delayed Euro 2020 campaign
GETTY IMAGES FOR THE RECORD
Wales picked up a fantastic result against Mexico even though key players, like Ben Davies, Joe Allen and Aaron Ramsey, were missing – Gareth Bale and Hal Robson-Kanu also weren’t part of the starting line-up.
El Tri came into the match having been enjoying a 10-match unbeaten streak, which extended all the way back to September 2019 when they lost 4-0 to Argentina in a friendly.
Tata Martino’s men had amassed a staggering nine wins as well as five clean sheets along the way, with their most notable victory being a 1-0 win over the Netherlands in Amsterdam last October thanks to Raul Jimenez’s goal.
Mexico had scored 26 goals and conceded just seven throughout that undefeated run.
Oh, and tonight’s result also marked Wales’ first ever victory over the Latin Americans after five efforts!
GETTY IMAGES STATS
Mexico dominated a staggering 75.3 per cent of possession throughout the match but failed to produce anything substantial as they were outdone by a defensive masterclass by Wales boss Rob Page.
El Tri produced a total of eight shots, but only two were on target, and most of them took place during the second half.
The Dragons, who introduced Gareth Bale late into the match, had four shots, one of which was on target.
Wales picked up an impressive result even though they missed key players, such as Ben Davies, Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen and Bale, who was benched for most of the match
FT: WALES 1-0 MEXICO
Wales picked up an impressive victory over Mexico in an international friendly at Cardiff City Stadium.
The hosts opened the scoring after 11 minutes when Jonny Williams played a low cross off the right flank and found Kieffer Moore completely unmarked inside the box where he got a neat touch and beat Guillermo Ochoa with a fine finish.
The visitors complained that Matthew Smith was offside during the build-up that led to the Dragons’ goal.
Mexico had a couple of chances to equalise with Hirving Lozano, who was denied both times by Wayne Hennessey’s foot.
El Tri got close to a late equaliser in the last minute of stoppage time when a free-kick found Jesus Corona unmarked inside the box but his shot was way off the mark.
GETTY IMAGES PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
AND THAT’S ALL FROM CARDIFF!!!!!!
WALES 1-0 MEXICO
90+4 WHAT A CHANCE!
Herrera whips in the free-kick and a Mexico player gets a header that sends the ball back to Corona, who is completely unmarked inside the box.
The Mexican strikes but completely misses the target!
WALES 1-0 MEXICO
90+4 Norrington-Davies drops Sanchez just a few yards away from Hennessey’s box.
A very promising opportunity coming up for Mexico!
WALES 1-0 MEXICO
Mexico aren’t playing like a team that wants to equalise…
Salcedo just carelessly headed the ball out for a corner-kick even though it was bouncing out for a goal-kick!
WALES 1-0 MEXICO
90 Just four more minutes to go until full-time.
Expect Mexico to put together one-last ditch effort to equalise – plenty of time for the visitors…
WALES 1-0 MEXICO
87 SUBSTITUTION
Wales have to make an necessary switch as Connor Roberts comes on for Jonny Williams who appears to have picked up a knock and can’t continue
WALES 1-0 MEXICO
84 SUBSTITUTION
Mexico make another late change as Lainez takes Alvarez’s place
WALES 1-0 MEXICO
83 A tiny little tussle takes place down the right flank.
Lozano has heated words with Norrington-Davies and gets to the defender’s face.
But the Wales star isn’t bothered at all and walks away with a smile on his face while the Mexico ace keeps on shouting
WALES 1-0 MEXICO
81 SUBSTITUTION
Well, what do you know…?
Turns out we ARE going to see Bale who comes on for Matondo for the last few minutes of the game
WALES 1-0 MEXICO
80 So far, Wales have put together a defensive masterclass.
They have closed all sorts of space for Mexico to produce a dangerous situation.
Even the attackers have been rock-solid when the visitors try to play off the back
WALES 1-0 MEXICO
78 SUBSTITUTION
Mexico manager Martinez makes two more changes in hope of a last-gasp equaliser.
Dos Santos replaces Pineda and Arteaga takes Gallardo’s place
WALES 1-0 MEXICO
77 CHANCE!
Hello!
Pineda tries a lovely low shot just a few yards off the edge of the box and just misses Hennessey’s bottom left corner!
WALES 1-0 MEXICO
75 Mexico continue to control possession and tempo in Cardiff.
But they are definitely not playing like a team that hasn’t lost since 2019…
WALES 1-0 MEXICO
73 Mexico can’t create any danger against Wales while time is running out.
Remember, the Dragons have never been able to beat El Tri before!
WALES 1-0 MEXICO
70 Tempo has slowed down in Cardiff as Wales have pushed back and are trying to strike on the counter.
But Mexico still can’t get much going on when they move up front
WALES 1-0 MEXICO
68 It’s almost like Mexico want Wales to push them back with the way they move the ball around in defence.
Ochoa almost gave away a corner-kick and Salcedo is now playing too deep for a holding midfielder.
Wales are pretty comfortable after Lozano’s double opportunities
WALES 1-0 MEXICO
65 SUBSTITUTION
Wales boss Page makes another double switch, and it still doesn’t involve Bale.
Johnson and Neco Williams come on for Roberts and Lawrence respectively
WALES 1-0 MEXICO
62 SUBSTITUTION
Mexico boss Martinez makes a double save to shake things up!
Pizarro replaces Rodriguez and Sanchez takes Guardado’s place
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
