Elias Hernandez Performance Puts Mexico Past El Salvador in Gold Cup Opener
Mexico got its 2017 Gold Cup campaign off to a bright start Sunday, defeating El Salvador 3-1 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.
Hedgardo Marin opened the scoring for Mexico in the eighth minute with a thumping header, only to see El Salvador equalize just two minutes later on a well-placed strike by Nelson Bonilla. Elias Hernandez put Mexico ahead again in the 29th minute on a volley, and Orbelin Pineda provided the insurance goal early in the second half.
Hernandez was easily the most impactful player on the field, dangerous throughout the contest and finishing with a goal and two assists.
There was plenty of attacking soccer to be had in this game. Mexico finished with 66 percent possession and 16 shots (seven on goal) to El Salvador's 12 (four on goal), per ESPNFC.us.
The result pushes Mexico to the top of Group C after the first round of games. Jamaica defeated Curacao, 2-0, earlier Sunday in Group C play.
Mexico came into the Gold Cup as favorites to win the tournament and, aside from a few lapses in concentration, were clearly the better side on the day and appear ready to make good on their promise.
It was a bright start for El Tri, as they got on the front foot quickly and were rewarded with an early goal. Mexico won a free kick deep in El Salvador's half, and Elias Hernandez took the set piece, sending in a swerving kick that Marin did well to bury from a header.
Fox Soccer provided a highlight:
ESPN Stats & Info noted it was a rare goal for the Mexican center back:
Mexican fans at Qualcomm Stadium hardly had time to settle back into their seats before El Savador countered. Fox Soccer has the highlight of Bonilla's goal:
Soccer journalist Jon Arnold passed along this translation showing it's been quite some time since El Salvador managed a goal like Bonilla's equalizer against Mexico:
Following the opening salvo and the lightning-quick rebuttal, Mexico settled into the game, dominating possession with crisp passing and controlled buildup. However, El Salvador was resolute in defense and quick on the counter, even managing to generate more chances early on.
But Mexico were the more clinical finishers in this contest and broke the deadlock in the 29th minute on a sensational Hernandez volley, from an accurate cross by Jesus Gallardo.
As the Fox Soccer highlight shows, the 29-year-old Club Leon attacker was unmarked on the play:
ESPN Stats & Info noted it was the third straight game in which Hernandez notched a goal for Mexico.
The second half saw Mexico running rampant for the most part, with rapid counters and excellent passing putting the El Salvadoreans on the back foot on multiple occasions. El Tri got the insurance goal it needed in the 55th minute, courtesy of Pineda, who came into the midfield as a halftime substitute.
Gold Cup 2017 provided a look at the tally:
ESPN FC's Tom Marshall noted Hernandez's contributions in the match:
Multiple injury stoppages broke up the action in the second half, a marked difference from the free-flowing play seen in the first half.
El Salvador was disappointed to see starting goalkeeper Benji Villalobos leave the game with about 15 minutes remaining. He took a sizzling Hernandez shot to the face earlier in the contest, only to limp off the field a few minutes later and be replaced by Derby Carrillo.
Group C play will resume Thursday, with Mexico taking on Jamaica and El Salvador playing against Curacao.
With USA starting off the Gold Cup with a frustrating 1-1 draw with Panama, Mexico will have only cemented their status as tournament favorites in the early going.
