After securing their presence in the 2017 Confederations Cup, Mexico's National Team will start the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers against El Salvador at the historical Azteca Stadium. "El Tri" will have a new coach with them, as Colombian Juan Carlos Osorio tries to shut up all those who have criticized his signing with Mexico by defeating El Salvador in style. On the other hand, Los Cuscatlecos will make a run for their first win in Mexican soil, but they will have to do so without some key players who refused to make the trip due to complications with their football executives.
Mexico
El Tri struggled heavily to make it to the 2014 World Cup, and now, Osorio's team will try to leave that behind. Fans and experts are keeping a close look on the Colombian manager's strategy, which could include more players performing abroad than ever for the first time in El Tri's history. One of those players who will surely enjoy minutes of playing time is Javier Hernández, who is one of the most in-form strikers in European football. His current streak of six consecutive games scoring will surely hand him a spot in Mexico's Starting XI, where he should have Andres Guardado's help in the mid-section. El Tri's defense will not have legendary Rafa Marquez available, but surely Hector Moreno will take matters into his own hands when El Salvador makes a run for it.
Coach Osorio addressed the media before the game, and he did not deny El Tri has a duty to perform in front of their home crowd.
"Frequently, you hear that these games are the ones where you can score lots of goals, and some have the tendency to overlook their opponents. Yes, we know we're better and I believe we're better than them, but we don't feel we are forced to score several goals. Our only objective will be winning," Osorio said.
El Salvador
Los cuscatlecos will not have it easy to rescue at least one point. After seven top players left the team, coach Ramon Madariaga was forced to call up ten U-23 players to face Mexico, giving the hosts an unexpected advantage. Furthermore, their major sponsor cancelled its deal with the National Team, so in every way, El Salvador will have low morale to face El Tri this Friday.
The former Honduras coach feels there's not much his team can do under these circumstances, but that doesn't mean they will end up putting the game on a silver platter for Mexico.
"We are aware of all the players Mexico has available, but they can also make mistakes. We have to be focused to take any chances they give us. We will go there and work with the idea that there is no invincible team in the world, not losing would be great for the team, but we will focus ourselves on playing a good game and establishing a good squad for the remainder of the Qualifiers," Madariaga added.
Head to head
Mexico and El Salvador have played 30 games between them, with 25 wins for El Tri, one draw and four victories for Los Cuscatlecos.
The Central American team has never been able to win a single match against Mexico at Azteca Stadium.
Mexico has scored 84 goals against El Salvador, conceding only 16.
Did you know?
Javier "Chicharito" Hernández needs five goals to become Mexico's all-time top scorer, surpassing former Bolton Wanderers' striker Jared Borgetti, who scored 46.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Follow the game on-the-go
Download our iOS and Android apps to follow soccer on-the-go. It comes packed with features - live scores, fixtures, results, tables, line-ups, stats, TV schedule and much more! Sorry, no live streaming within the app.
