Mexican U17 dominates Argentina in debut.

Mexico superior in debut match

Mexico superior in debut v Argentina

In a performance reminiscent of early 1990’s Mexican National Team, playing in Estadio Nelson Oyarzún Arenas, located about 400 KM from the Chilean Capital Santiago, the Mexican U17 squad, led by Mario Arteaga, kicked off their debut by seeing off the Miguel Lemme Argentine squad.

Goals by Mexican Winger Magaña, of C.D. Guadalajara, and a converted penalty by Mexican zaguero Venegas, of C.F. Pachuca, of in the 10th and 77th minutes.

Lemme’s men were content to cede possession and sit in their half of the pitch, absorbing pressure and looking to striker on the counter. Mexico’s first warning that this would not be an easy match with a well-place shot outside the 18 forcing the Argentine keeper Peano into a spectacular save in the 2nd minute. Argentina’s best chance in the first half came off a well placed through ball off the boot of Captain Conechny, which was flubbed by right winger Berterame 4 minutes later.

In the second half, the Argentine squad changed their tactics, pushing up their lines to press the Mexican salida, looking to win the ball in the Mexican half of the pitch and quickly transition taking advantage of the proximity of the rival goal and possible disorganization. The little albiceleste did improve their possession of the ball, but failed to create clear goal chances. No doubt this is partially due to the Argentine strikers preferring to aim for Sergio Ramos’ still orbiting Champions League penalty miss, rather than the Mexican keeper’s net.

The natural right footed winger Magaña would open the scoreline by dribbling from the left wing past 4 Argentine players and taking a well-placed shot into  the first post of the  Argentine keeper.

Although the final stats sheet will show Argentina with 18 shot attempts, 6 on-target, 9 off-target and 4 blocked, the Argentine squad did not threaten the Mexican keeper much. In part thanks to the hard work of the Mexican backline and mids, who snuffed out the overwhelming majority of counter attacks before they posed a bigger threat, but also due to their inability to approvech any possession they managed in the final 3rd of the pitch.

Mexico enjoyed 59% possession of the ball, created only 13 shot attempts with 6 of them on-target. The Mexican team also won the majority of 1v1 on both sides of the ball while also winning the majority of 50/50 balls and secondary balls.

Looking to motivate his squad for the forthcoming fixture, the Argentine coach Lemme remarked post game  “it was a balanced game and the pace of the game was spectacular.”

Mexico’s coach Mario Arteaga remarked about his team “the team was good tactically speaking and with the quick passes and combinations we could create spaces between lines and the goals came. This win gives us confidence to go ahead”

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