Mexico, CONCACAF favorites, welcomed Guyana and their Golden Jaguars to the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City for the very first time. A short elevated clearance by Guyana to their half circle landed at the feet of defender Carlos Salcido, who timed his volley to smack an expert strike into the back of the net and settle Mexico's nerves with a 1-0 lead. Four minutes later, Mexico displayed their full arsenal in three quick touches. Javier Hernandez back heeled to Aldo de Nigris, who settled the ball for an onrushing Giovani Dos Santos to blast a massive strike into the Guyanese goal, putting the Golden Jaguars down 2-0 before the quarter hour mark. Mexico took the 2-0 score into the break.
Upon returning, Mexico kept attacking. Andres Guardado sent in a dangerous cross to Hernandez that hit Hernandez and his marker in rapid succession, leading to an own goal and a 3-0 lead. The only blemish on Mexico's record was an own goal of their own to make it 3-1. Carl Cort had a goal effort that bounced off the goal toward Mexico's crossbar, but it flew just over. Mexico win the match 3-1 and take an early lead in the race toward the CONCACAF Fourth Round out of Group Two.
La Selecta of El Salvador made the trip to San Jose to face off with powerhouse Costa Rica. An early penalty appeal when Alvaro Saborio (pictured, red) was taken down in the box by Victor Turcios (pictured, white) was waved away to the dismay of Costa Rica. Saborio quickly got Turcios back by chesting a ball down while turning Turcios around, leading to a superb unmarked finish by Saborio. The Ticos extended the lead to 2-0 five minutes later when a Joel Campbell shot was deflected, leaving the goalkeeper extending himself in the wrong direction as he watched his net get breached again. El Salvador were not shaken, and Isidro Gutierrez gathered a long rebound to finish clinically into the bottom left corner from twenty-six yards. In minute 31, the lights went out, and the match was delayed by twenty minutes. Costa Rica led 2-1 at the halftime whistle.
Nine minutes into the next period, Rafael Burgos received a ball in the Tico's half of the field and drew three Ticos defenders with his back to goal. Burgos threaded a through ball to a streaking Osael Romero, who got off a shot before the overcommitted defense could react, levelling the match at two goals per team. El Salvador were able to hold on to secure the valuable road point before facing Mexico at home on Tuesday.
Goals
Mexico
Carlos Salcido 11
Giovani Dos Santos 15
John Rodrigues 51 OG
Guyana
Hector Moreno 62 OG
Costa Rica
Alvaro Saborio 10
Joel Campbell 15
El Salvador
Isidro Gutierrez 23
Osael Romero 54
Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en-us/match/72579/mexico-vs-guyana/report
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1215116-mexico-vs-guyana-mexico-must-show-consistency-to-succeed-in-future-matches
http://www.concacaf.com/page/WCQ/NewsDetail/0,,12813~2805295,00.html
Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX1DDzzuwr0&feature=relmfu (Mexico v. Guyana)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2jmMbLkCyk (El Salvador v. Costa Rica)
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