Mexico secured a 2-0 victory over Ghana in a World Cup warm-up match held in Puebla, showcasing their readiness as cohosts of the upcoming tournament. The match took place at Cuauhtemoc Stadium, which, while not a host city for the World Cup, was filled with enthusiastic fans donning green shirts, creating an electrifying atmosphere.

Exciting Start and Key Performances

Brian Gutierrez set the tone for Mexico early on, scoring just two minutes into the match with a well-placed shot from the edge of the box. The Mexican side continued to press, with teenage sensation Gil Mora coming close to extending the lead by hitting the post in the first half. Additionally, Alexis Vega had a header disallowed for offside before halftime. Coach Javier Aguirre praised Mora, who made his return to the national team after injury, saying, “He’s brave, direct, vertical … he gives us great joy because he’s Mexican and because he’s back without pain.”

Ghana's Response and Mexico's Second Goal

Ghana, under the guidance of assistant coaches in the absence of head coach Carlos Queiroz, posed a threat early in the second half, forcing the Mexican goalkeeper into action and even hitting the crossbar. However, Mexico's substitute Guillermo Martinez dashed Ghana's hopes by scoring in the 54th minute, finishing off a counterattack to double the lead.

As the match served as a platform for Aguirre to assess his squad ahead of the final World Cup selection on June 1, he noted the effort from players competing for a spot in the team. “The fact they tried and gave their best effort, for me, that’s already worthwhile,” Aguirre remarked, acknowledging the complexities of finalizing the roster.