Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Miguel Herrera will feel better about his team's comprehension of his system and their ability to score heading into the World Cup, but Mexico will have to make do without star Luis Montes.
Mexico looked like a team ready to start the World Cup in their friendly against Ecuador on Saturday, but they'll be heading to Brazil without one of their best players. Luis Montes, who scored their first goal on the afternoon, had to exit the game with a broken leg that will keep him from going to Brazil. Nonetheless, Mexico were excellent on the day and recovered from their immediate letdown following Montes' injury, eventually claiming a 3-1 win.
Montes' goal was an absolute stunner, scored from 25 years out in the 33rd minute. He stepped into a pass from Oribe Peralta and took a rip, beating Maximo Banguera at the top corner. But just two minutes later, he was involved in a nasty 50-50 challenge with Ecuador midfielder Segundo Castillo. He broke his leg and was replaced by Marco Fabian, while Castillo suffered a knee injury and got substituted out for Carlos Gruezo.
El Tri made two changes at halftime, putting defensive midfielder Jose Vazquez on for attacking midfielder Carlos Peña and Carlos Salcido on for Rafa Marquez in a near like-for-like switch at their libero-like central defense position.
Fabian matched the man he came on for in the 69th minute with an absolutely brilliant goal of his own, scored from similar range and into the top corner, but from the left side of midfield instead of the right. Seven minutes after that, Giovani dos Santos extended Mexico's lead with a comical goal that took bounces off the post and Banguera before finding the back of the net.
Ecuador couldn't fight back into the match from there, but they did get a consolation goal, scored by substitute Enner Valencia with a free kick that took a deflection.
Mexico: Ochoa, Moreno, Marquez (Salcido 46'), Rodriguez, Guardado (Layun 50'), Peña (Vazquez 46'), Herrera, Montes (Fabian 41'), Aguilar, Dos Santos (Jimenez 80'), Peralta (Hernandez 67')
Goals: Montes (33'), Fabian (69'), Dos Santos (76')
Ecuador: Banguera, W. Ayovi, Erazo (Achilier 65'), Paredes, Guagua, Rojas, Castillo (Gruezo 41'), Mendez, Montero (A. Valencia 61'), Martinez (Caidedo 72'), J. Ayovi (E. Valencia 60')
Goals: E. Valencia (80')
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