Goals: Ecuador—Bolanos 26’ - Valencia 57’; Mexico—Jimenez 64’
ECUADOR GOES UP 1-0. @MillerBolanos23 smashes home saved shot. #beINCopaAmerica https://t.co/a2qf6sp15g
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) June 19, 2015
Recap: Ninety minutes of inspired football saw Ecuador defeat Mexico 2-1 on Friday.
Despite conceding a lion’s share of the possession, it was Ecuador who opened the affair in the first half. A half-hearted effort from Enner Valencia was blocked, but not to safety, allowing Miller Bolanos to poach home his first goal of the tournament. Ecuador’s stout defense carried the burden from there. Through the first 55 minutes of the match, Mexico was limited to just two attempts. Neither contested Alexander Dominguez between the posts.
A composed finish from Valencia doubled the advantage in the second half, but Mexico would respond from the spot in the 64th minute, a confident finish from Raul Jimenez breathing life into El Tri. It proved to be of little consequence, however, with Mexico falling 2-1.
Penalty awarded to @miseleccionmx and they are right back into the game. 1-2 #beINCopaAmerica https://t.co/LzoKSRi8Iz
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) June 19, 2015
Key Moment: With just three points, Jimenez’s penalty in the 64th minute will be insurmountable for Ecuador. A negative goal differential (minus-two) won’t be enough to secure a third-place spot in the quarterfinals.
Man of the Match: Bolanos played a key part in both of Ecuador’s goals, his through-ball assist in the 57th minute serving as the dagger in Mexico’s heart.
.@EnnerValencia14 puts it home after bad giveaway. 0-2 FEFecuador. #beINCopaAmerica https://t.co/53RIg82M9r
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) June 19, 2015
Lesson Learned: Miguel Herrera’s hesitance to show tactical flexibility ultimately cost him. A very stagnant and predictable Mexico was deployed on Friday. Herrera’s favored 5-3-2 accumulated a lion’s share of the possession in the first half, but produced nothing of substance. It wasn’t until Javier Aquino’s substitution and a shift to a four-man backline in the second half that Mexico showed signs of life in the final third. Adopt a system as a head coach, just never marry yourself to it.
Up Next: Mexico have been eliminated from the Copa America. Ecuador, however, will wait to see if their three points will be enough to secure a third-place spot in the quarterfinals.
Note: Credit all statistics to officially licensed data from Opta Sports (via WhoScored).
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