Defending champions Mexico continued their miraculous recovery here in UAE by beating nine-man Argentina 3-0 in Abu Dhabi to book their place in the final.
The semi-final from the Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium was dominated by El Tri, who took full advantage of set pieces and got two goals from Ivan Ochoa. Mexico now move on to face either Sweden or Nigeria – the team that beat them 6-1 in their opener – in the final.
The game started at break-neck pace and a physical edge quickly developed. As early as the third minute, the Argentines had a golden opportunity to take the lead when Sebastian Driussi was clattered in the penalty area by Solomon Wbias. Mexican keeper Raul Gudino once again showed his penchant for keeping out spot-kicks, diving to his left to beat away a well-taken effort by Driussi. It’s the third penalty the tall Gudino has saved here in UAE after blocking two in the quarter-final shootout win over Brazil.
Twice champions El Tri were in no mood to let the Argentines off the hook, either. Two minutes after the early scare, they took the lead. Wbias made amends for his earlier error by flicking on a corner-kick with his head, and Ivan Ochoa finished at the back post with aplomb.
The contest continued on with the throttle wide open. Argentina pressed for the equaliser and Mexico were eager to hit them out on the counter-attack. But while the South Americans looked dangerous in patches, the holders were far more clinical in front of goal and totally dangerous on set pieces. A free-kick from midfield was flicked on near the penalty spot after 21 minutes and Ochoa was once again on hand at the back post to hit home his fourth goal of the finals.
Things went from bad to worse for frustrated Argentina just after the half-hour mark when Joaquin Ibanez was shown a straight red for a two-studded tackle on Omar Govea.
Argentina were able to carve out a bit more of the possession in the second period, with the Mexicans happy enough to sit back and absorb pressure against their tiring opponents. But the more the Albiceleste pressed, the more they were exposed. Mexico hunted their insurance goal with precise passing in the attacking third as the clock wound down, and they got the pay-off their good play deserved when substitute Marco Granados hammered home after a delicate through-ball at the edge of the penalty area.
The game finished with Argentina reduced to nine men after goalkeeper Augusto Batalla was sent off for a professional foul. It hardly mattered, and the 3-0 scoreline sees Mexico press onto the final, where they might just have a chance for some revenge against Nigeria should results in the later semi-final in Dubai go in favour of the Golden Eaglets.
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