TOLUCA, Mexico (AP) — mexican national team They bounced back from an early deficit and beat Serbia 5-1 on Thursday, completing preparations for their opening game. world cup.
Petar Stanic gave the Serbs the lead in the 19th minute, but Johan Vazquez equalized in the 34th minute. In the 45th minute, Stefan Bukinac equalized with an own goal. Raul Jimenez He added another goal in the 57th inning.
Adem Advovic scored an own goal in the 72nd minute, and Luis Chavez scored the winner in the 90th minute.
“We have been preparing for 20 or 22 months,” coach Javier Aguirre said at a press conference. “It was not easy to choose the final squad and we had some setbacks along the way, including 12 injured players.”
Mexico opens the World Cup against South Africa on June 11 at Azteca Stadium. Mexico will play South Korea in Guadalajara on the 18th, before returning to the capital to face the Czech Republic on June 24th.
Mexico is unbeaten in its last eight games and hasn’t lost since losing to Paraguay in a friendly in November.
Aguirre added: “Despite the results, of course, we are growing. We are energetic, have a positive attitude and are physically healthy.” “We are in good shape.”
___ AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
