TON GUN’S A STUNNER
Chris picks 100th game to lead Wales in brilliant win over World No.9 Mexico
CHRIS GUNTER notched up his century for Wales – and led his country to a first-ever victory over Mexico.
Having a party to celebrate the remarkable milestone of 100 caps was always going to be tricky in lockdown – even if the ‘stay at home’ rule had been eased yesterday on this side of the border.
But 31-year-old Charlton defender Gunter, skipper on his big night, and his team-mates more than made up for that with a magnificent display.
A fifth goal on the world stage from Cardiff forward Kieffer Moore – a beautifully taken close-range strike – proved the difference.
To beat a Mexican side, who had not lost in 10 outings and are ranked No.9 in the world by FIFA, is no mean feat.
Especially when it was Wales’ second string on show in Cardiff – with caretaker boss Robert Page (right) making 11 changes from the side that lost in midweek to Belgium in the first of their World Cup qualifiers.
Next up for the Red Dragons are the Czech Republic on Tuesday. Fair to say, this was perfect preparation for that crunch clash in the race to reach Qatar 2022.
No Ryan Giggs in the dug-out. No Aaron Ramsey – who was out injured, the likes of Gareth Bale and Ben Davies on the bench, no fans in the building and nothing at stake.
This had all the makings of a poor excuse for an unnecessary game. Even Page conceded
beforehand that he would “pick a team to tick the fixture box”! Hardly a ringing endorsement.
Would it live up to those low expectations – and give Arsene Wenger’s dream of eradicating all non-competitive internationals a further boost?
Absolutely not. This was a proper clash and had several spicy moments to prove it
And it was also an opportunity for the hosts to test the depth of their squad. In that respect, it looks promising.
The visitors arrived in good form – albeit not having played since November – after winning 18 of their previous 22 internationals.
Even without their talisman Raul Jimenez – the Wolves player was in the stands as he recovers from a fractured skull – they were still a vastly experienced side. Skipper Andres Guardado was making his 165th appearance, while keeper Guillermo Ochoa was the other centurion among their ranks.
But the Mexican stopper’s first action of the night came after 10 minutes when he was picking the ball out of his net.
Matt Smith looked offside but was allowed to find
Jonny Williams, who crossed for Moore to produce a classy touch and an equally clever finish past static Ochoa.
What must have pleased Page the most was the slick passing exchange in the build-up, which is fast becoming a hallmark of this Welsh team.
To go behind so early clearly rattled the Mexicans – but once they settled down it was easy to see why they are so highly rated.
Yet it took them until the 34th minute to create a clear opening.
Jesus Corona weaved his way into the box on the left and from an acute angle drifted his effort a yard past Wayne Hennessey’s far post.
That was the closest they came to levelling before the break as the hosts produced a defiant rearguard action at the back – and continued to threaten on the counter.
Wales so nearly doubled their lead just five minutes into the second period.
Tyler Roberts set up sub Hal
Robson-Kanu but the West Brom striker was unable to get any purchase on his sliced shot at the near post. And Wales almost paid the price for that miss two minutes later when Hirving Lozano forced two superb stops from Hennessey in quick succession.
The Crystal Palace keeper firstly denied Lozano in a oneon-one before making a reflex stop from the lively Mexican moments later.
WALES: Hennessey 9; Gunter 8, Cabango 8, Norrington-Davies 8, Lawrence 7 (Johnsoin 65, 6), Levitt 7 (Sheehan 45, 7), Smith 8, J Williams 8, Roberts 8 ( N Williams 65, 6), Matondo 7, Moore 8 (Robson-Kanu 46, 7). MEXICO: Ochoa 5; Gallardo 6 (Arteaga 79), Montes 6, Alvarez 7, Rodriguez 6 (Pizarro 61, 6), Herrera 7, Salcedo 6, Pineda 7 (dos Santos 78), Lozano 6, Guardado 7 (Sanchez 62, 6), Corona 6.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Wayne Hennessey. Barely gets a game with his club Palace was brilliant here. REFEREE: Ian McNabb 6