Mexico Opens Copa America Centenario with 3-1 Win over Uruguay

By Francisco Romero

In a hard fought battle on the field between Mexico and Uruguay, the Mexican National Team came out ahead by a score of 3-1 Sunday night in the opener of the Copa America Centeranio for both teams at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ.

El Tri’s first goal came at the fourth minute of play via Uruguay’s Alvaro Pereira’s own goal.

Mexico held the lead until the 73^rd minute of play when Diego Godin of Uruguay scored on a header to tie the game 1-1.

Uruguay came out strong on the second half, but fell short as Mexico’s last minutes heroics took over the game.

El Tri’s veteran player, Rafael Marquez scored the second goal for Mexico at the 85^th minute of play, and Hector Herrera scored the third Mexican goal in second half stoppage time.

Both teams ended the game with 10 players each on the field; Andres Guardado was given a red card and Uruguay’s midfielder Matías Vecino was shown a second yellow card for a dangerous tackle.

“First and foremost I would like to state that we beat a team that we respect a lot,” said Mexico’s head coach Juan Carlos Osorio after the game.

“The more we play teams with the talent level of Uruguay and continue winning, we will get better, our players will definitely improve, it was an important victory for us,” added Osorio.

Osorio also stated that his next step will be to watch and dissect the Venezuela – Jamaica game to get ready for what they will be up against.

Venezuela beat Jamaica 1-0.

Mexico’s next game will be Thursday June 9^th against Jamaica, while Uruguay will face Venezuela.