HECTOR HERRERA HAS PUT MEXICO UP BY 2! The Mexican midfielder who has, for better or worse, been pulling the strings in the centre of the pitch has chipped in and ensured all three points deep into stoppage time with a brilliant free-kick outside the area on the left-hand side! Foncette had no chance of stopping that! 3-1 Mexico!
90'
K. George gets yellow.
Immediately following the goal Kevan George has been given a yellow card for a challenge presumably born out of frustration.
88'
J. Hernández has scored a goal for Mexico!
MEXICO HAVE STOLEN IT AT THE DEATH! West Ham striker Javier Hernandez has put Mexico up 2-1 with only minutes remaining in the match! The man who has made a name for himself in club football for scoring late goals has done the same for his nation! A shot which was parried well by Foncette pops up in the air perfectly for Hernandez to nod home.
86'
T. Caesar enters the game and replaces S. Winchester.
The last substitution of the match for Trinidad and Tobago is like for like, as striker Trevin Caesar replaces goal-scorer Shahdon Winchester.
82'
Immediately after the goal Mexico are on the front foot once again. This time a double opportunity at goal is saved and collected fantastically by Foncette who has impressed in the little work he has had to do today.
81'
H. Moreno gets yellow.
Hector Herrera is shown a yellow card for his challenge in midfield.
78'
H. Lozano has scored a goal for Mexico! Assist by M. Layún.
Miguel Layun, who has looked positive getting forward in this match is credited with the assist on Lozano's equalizer.
GOOAL FOR MEXICO! The hosts have restored parity through substitute Hirving Lozano! He's only been on the pitch for 20 minutes but the impact substitute has made his mark! A fantastic finish from the winger who cut inside from the right to get on the end of a low cross to keep Mexico's undefeated streak intact for the time being. 1-1 in San Luis Potosi!
75'
K. Molino gets yellow.
74'
The second yellow card of the game also goes to Trinidad and Tobago, with Kevin Molino being the recipient.
73'
J. Jones enters the game and replaces L. García.
Lawrence counters Mexico's final change with a substitution of his own. Joevin Jones has been called from the bench to replace Levi Samuel Garcia.
Minute
Description
71'
Oribe Peralta makes an instant impact as a cross into the box is met well by the striker, but headed over the bar. The referee then calls the play back as Peralta was in an offside position.
70'
O. Peralta enters the game and replaces D. Reyes.
Mexico's final change is certainly a positive one, with centre-back Diego Reyes being removed for striker Oribe Peralta.
68'
C. Gonzales gets yellow.
Curtis Gonzalez of Trinidad receives the first yellow card of the game for a tactical foul.
66'
S. Winchester has scored a goal for Trinidad and Tobago! Assist by L. García.
Levi Samuel Garcia will be credited with the assist on Winchester's go-ahead goal.
GOAL FOR TRINIDAD! The underdogs have taken the lead as Winchester, who had Trinidad's only real chance in the first half strikes and breaks the deadlock! The home fans at the Estadio Ramirez are making their conerns heard. Hopefully for them, going down will inspire El Tri to attack with more impetus. 1-0 Trinidad and Tobago!
64'
STAT: Mexico have scored in eight of their last nine home World Cup qualifying matches - their only blank coming against Honduras in a 0-0 draw.
61'
K. Molino enters the game and replaces L. Paul.
C. Vela enters the game and replaces G. dos Santos.
Trinidad and Tobago have made their first change of the evening, with Kevin Molino coming on for Leston Paul.
Mexico's second change is attacking, as Carlos Vela of Real Sociedad entering for Giovani dos Santos.
56'
H. Lozano enters the game and replaces J. Aquino.
Mexico's first subsitution of the day sees Hirving Lozano enter the fray for Javier Aquino.
52'
A great cross into the centre by Jesus Corona from the left is met by nobody in the area. All it required was a nod towards goal with the velocity that Corona put on it, but the ball could not find a green shirt.
50'
Guardado tried to slip a pass through to Javier Hernandez who miscontrolled the ball and another Mexican attack leads to nothing. The fans are getting restless here - regardless of the match's lack of importance on qualification.
48'
Stat: Trinidad and Tobago have lost their last six matches in all competitions. Their last point was in a friendly with Grenada in April of this year and they have not won a game since March.
46'
Trinidad and Tobago get us underway in the second half!
45'
A fluid move sees Hernandez, once again involved, create a fantastic chance for Jesus Corona but the ball flies high and wide - which seems to be a theme tonight for the Mexican players who have had considerable difficulty finding the target.
43'
Hernandez found some space to attempt a shot but the Trinidad defence closed down well and made sure that the Premier League striker couldn't find the target.
40'
Layun attempts a shot from quite a distance but got the height all wrong as the ball soars above the head of Foncette and the goal. It remains 0-0 with five minutes to play in the half.
32'
The corner comes to nothing as Reyes heads wide of the target.
31'
Guardado shoots very well to the far side but Foncette did brilliantly to read the ball - albeit late – and pushing the ball wide for a corner.
30'
From that attack, Corona was fouled just outside the 18-yard box. This is in perfect position for a left-footed shooter. Guardado stands over it ready to strike.
29'
After Herrera’s determined drive into the attacking third, Mexico have seemed to sit back and enjoy possession, playing the ball around the midfield before switching play to the left and starting the attack anew.
27'
Jesus Corona cut in from wide-right and attempted a curler from outside the area which flies high and wide – never troubling for Foncette.
25'
The corner is taken short once again and like the free-kick is turned into a snapshot from outside the area which is collected well by the Mexican keeper. Another decent chance for Trinidad!
24'
The kick is taken short and the recipient takes a shot from the outside of the box which is punched out for a corner by Corona.
Lewis is fouled just outside the box on the right-hand side. The free-kick is in a perfect location for a cross and could be dangerous.
19'
A cross from the left falls for an unmarked Aquino at the back post but his shot sails high of the net. That was a great chance wasted by the Mexican wide-man.
17'
Stat: Trinidad and Tobago have never won an away match against Mexico in 14 attempts.
15'
Miguel Layun tries the spectacular shot and it flew only inches wide of Foncette’s right-hand post.
14'
A foul on Miguel Layun gives Mexico their second set-piece of the match, with the free-kick sitting midway between the halfway line and the Trinidad penalty area.
13'
Trinidad are not given a moments rest on the ball with at least one Mexican player quick to press at any chance. So far it has worked in forcing mistakes and it seems to be a matter of time before the Trinidad defence gives up a costly turnover.
10'
A ball recovered in the midfield by Herrera is lost when his long-ball runs too far for Hernandez to latch onto. Another wasted opportunity caused by a careless ball from the Mexican midfield.
8'
A shot for Trinidad! Their first chance sees Winchester drive a shot into the side netting of Corona’s goal. A decent first effort from a sharp angle.
7'
Mexico are building up ponderously, switching the play from left to right and back again in the midfield. El Tri have done well in possession but have lacked an accurate final ball.
5'
Mexico have started the game predictably brighter than their opponents. They are pressing high up the pitch to pressure the Trinidad back line to great success. They are controlling midfield and controlling the tempo brilliantly. The group position of both sides is quite apparent early on.
2'
A corner kick was whipped in short to the near post but was cleared well by the Trinidadian defense and put out for a throw.
1'
Trinidad and Tobago get us underway in their red and black strip!
Good evening and welcome to our live text commentary of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifier between Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago live from the Estadio Alfonso Lastras Ramirez!
Mexico enter the penultimate match day of the hexagonal phase ensured of a top two finish and direct entry to the World Cup Finals. El Tri have continued the scintillating form they displayed in the previous round, having not yet lost a match in this campaign.
Mexico have been fantastic at home, with their only dropped points in the fifth round of qualification coming as a result of a 1-1 tie with the United States of America. With a goal differential of +6 in their four matches at home, Juan Carlos Osorio’s side has deservedly booked their place to Russia.
Trinidad and Tobago, alternatively, have been relatively poor. With only one win – against third place Panama – The Soca Warriors sit in last place, six points back of fifth place Honduras. Their defensive record away from home is cause for concern, having shipped ten goals in 4 matches in the hexagonal phase, as is their attack. Dennis Lawrence’s side is currently averaging a goal every other match, not the required standard of a side ready to play in the World Cup.
With an American victory over Panama, Trinidad and Tobago have nothing left to play for. Fourth place, the final qualification spot is now nine points out of reach, with Trinidad only having two games left to play. This will be their third consecutive missed finals – having last reached the World Cup in 2006.
With just under five minutes to kick-off, the team news has been announced. Let's start with the home side.
Mexico substitutes: Rodolfo Cota, Guillermo Ochoa, Oswaldo Alanis, Edson Alvarez, Nestor Araujo, Hugo Ayala, Jesus Gallardo, Jonathan Dos Santos, Erick Gutierrez, Elias Hernandez, Raul Jimenez, Hirving Lozano, Oribe Peralta, Carlos Vela.
Trinidad and Tobago substitutes: Jones, Benjamin, Ranjitsingh, Trimmingham, Roach, Hodge, London, Molino, Samuel, Caesar, St. Hillaire.
Mexico Starting XI (4-3-3): Jesus Corona; Miguel Layun, Hector Moreno, Diego Reyes, Carlos Salcedo, Andres Guardado, Hector Herrera, Giovani Dos Santos, Javier Aquino, Jesus M. Corona, Javier Hernandez
Trinidad and Tobago Starting XI (4-4-2): Foncette, Moses, Cyrus, Villaroel, George, Gonzalez, Hyland, Paul, García, Lewis, Winchester.
HALF-TIME: Mexico 0-0 Trinidad and Tobago
It has been a relatively lackluster first half in Mexico. It is quite evident that neither side have anything to play for except pride. Trinidad have been resilient and organized in defence, but the Mexican attack has given them precious little trouble. Shots from Layun and Corona, as well as a great Guardado free-kick sum up El Tri’s offensive output. As for Trinidad, aside from an early sharp angle drive by Winchester, Jose Corona in goal has not been bothered.
The Mexicans have been poor considering the side that Osorio put out contains footballers plying their trade at the highest level of European football. Javier Hernandez and Andres Guardado have been quiet from open play. This may be a dead rubber, but the Mexico fans in the stadium have made their complaints heard with audible boos aimed towards their players. Mexico will have to do more in the second half if they want another home victory.
The Soca Warriors should go into the interval full of confidence. Although their dream of attending World Cup 2018 ended today, to hold the group leaders to an assortment of half-chances and misplayed passes should give Lawrence’s side cause for optimism going forward.
Looking forward, this result does not tell us anything not previously known. Mexico are guaranteed of a place in Russia for the World Cup, and Trinidad remain rooted to the bottom of the hexagonal group. Mexico continue their undefeated run in the qualifiers and will surely help maintain their confidence – regardless of the way they performed on the night. For Trinidad and Tobago, Lawrence can look to the first-half for positives defensively, but they will need to find an attacking spark if they wish to challenge internationally.
While many would have predicted the result prior to the match, group leaders Mexico certainly did not make it look easy against Trinidad. A drab and forgettable first half in which Trinidad and Tobago managed two half chances and Mexico could not find a fitting final ball gave way to a similar second period. A Shahdon Winchester goal for Trinidad increased pressure on the home side who were feeling the burden of expectation from their expectant fans in attendance. A number of key changes by Juan Osorio, including the introduction of first goal-scorer Hirving Lozano, changed the outlook of the match. The Soca Warriors could not maintain their defensive solidity and conceded two scrappy goals before Hector Herrera’s brilliant free kick guaranteed all three points for El Tri.
FULL-TIME: Mexico 3 – 1 Trinidad and Tobago
That concludes our live text commentary of Mexico vs. Trinidad and Tobago. We hope you enjoyed it and see you soon!
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