Johan Vásquez Header Gives Mexico 1-0 Win Over Australia in World Cup Warm-Up
Mexico beat Australia 1-0 at the Rose Bowl as Johan Vásquez's header gave El Tri momentum heading into the World Cup.
PASADENA, Calif. — Mexico's World Cup countdown is officially on. And if Saturday night at the Rose Bowl was any indication, El Tri is rounding into form at exactly the right time. A Johan Vásquez header in the 27th minute gave Mexico a 1-0 win over Australia in a friendly that served as a key tune-up ahead of the World Cup opener on June 11.
Mexico dominated the first half from the opening whistle. Alexis Vega forced Australian keeper Mathew Ryan into a sharp save just minutes before the goal. The corner that followed found Vásquez at the far post, and the Cádiz defender powered his header past Ryan to put Mexico on the board.
Guillermo Martínez nearly doubled the lead in the 32nd minute with a ferocious shot that Ryan managed to parry. Mexico kept the pressure on, pinning Australia back and controlling possession through the midfield.
The second half was a different story. Australia came out with renewed energy and pushed for an equalizer, forcing Mexico keeper Raúl Rangel into a point-blank save that kept the clean sheet intact. Mexico had a goal disallowed for offside in the 75th minute, but the 1-0 scoreline held.
Manager Javier Aguirre used the match to test several key players who have been working their way back from injuries: Edson Álvarez, Luis Chávez, Alexis Vega, and Santiago Giménez all got valuable minutes. The depth chart is taking shape, and Aguirre will need everyone fit for a World Cup campaign that begins against South Africa in the tournament opener.
Next up: Mexico faces Serbia on June 4 in what will be the final tune-up before the World Cup. If the Australia match is any guide, El Tri is peaking at the right time — and the Rose Bowl crowd of 60,000-plus let them hear it.