COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – Miguel Layun scored early in the first half, and Mexico continued its domination of Bolivia with a 1-0 win in a friendly at Dicks Sporting Goods Park on Tuesday night.
Mexico improved to 9-1-1 all-time against Bolivia. Mexico won the previous meeting between the countries, 5-0 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Feb. 24, 2010.
The winning margin wasn’t nearly as wide this time, but Mexico was in control from the start. Bolivia couldn’t create much offense and spent most of the game fending off charge after charge from Mexico.
Mexico jumped on Bolivia right at the start. Javier Aquino had a chance in the fourth minute but sent a shot high over the goal. Rodolfo Gilbert Pizarro had another opportunity in the sixth minute, and a third chance was wide in the 10th minute.
It finally scored in the 18th minute when Layun converted a rebound opportunity after Bolivia goalkeeper Daniel Vaca made a save on Aquino. The deflection came to the top of the box and Layun fired a shot under the crossbar to give Mexico a 1-0 lead.
Erick Torres nearly made it 2-0 in the 30th minute but his shot to the far right post went wide.
Mexico kept up the pressure but couldn’t capitalize. Its best scoring chances came in the final three minutes before intermission.
Javier Antonio Orozco had the first opportunity, but his shot off his left foot went just wide of the right post. A minute later, Aquino had the ball right in front but Vaca stuck out his right leg to make the save.
Mexico was content to sit back in the second half, which allowed Bolivia to play more in the offensive end. It didn’t translate into scoring opportunities until extra time.
With Ballivian gone after a red card, Ronald Eguino’s header went off a post in the 92nd minute, nearly tying the match.
Layun nearly got a second goal in the 66th minute, but Vaca reached out to tip it over the crossbar.
Vaca made another sprawling save on Torres in the 70th minute. Mexico also rattled a post in the 86th minute.
Spectators tried to get in on the action. Twice a pair of fans ran onto the field to hug Munoz, and later, while Ballivian was being ejected, a fan ran all over the field before falling and being taken off by security.
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