Mexico ‘did not capitalize’ on opportunities in Uzbekistan draw

Despite trailing twice in the first half, Mexico rallied back and even took the lead late on before conceding a stoppage time free-kick goal against Uzbekistan in a disappointing 3-3 draw at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Raul Jimenez’s brace wasn’t enough to propel El Tri to victory, as defensive errors plagued head coach Jaime ‘Jimmy’ Lozano’s team. The White Wolves had just four shots on goal – and scored on three of them – while Mexico had nearly five times the amount of shots, registering 19 attempts.

Jimenez, who left Wolverhampton Wanderers over the summer to join Fulham, has now scored in back-to-back games for Mexico, bagging three goals in two games after previously scoring from the penalty spot in his team’s 2-2 draw with Australia.

“In the end we had opportunities, we did not capitalize, we have to be self-critical, knowing that we did not play a good game as such we had the ball,” the 32-year-old said after the game. “But we were not deep, we did not create as many opportunities, [and] we rescued the tie.”

But like many of his teammates, Jimenez backed Lozano as his head coach despite the two consecutive draws: “We have to improve in that aspect, Jimmy’s idea is there. We have to polish it well, those of us who were not in the Gold Cup adapt as quickly as possible to do better.”

The former Benfica player has yet to score for his new club in London, but he’ll be looking to change that on September 16 when Fulham play host to newly promoted side Luton Town at Craven Cottage. Should Jimenez receive another call-up from Lozano, he’ll suit up for Mexico in their international friendlies against Ghana and Germany in October.