Rafa Márquez anchored Mexico's defense in his return to the national team lineup, but the central defender could do little to keep Colombia from taking a 2-0 win Wednesday night at the Sun Life Stadium in Miami. Los Cafeteros scored once in each half to hand new head coach José Pekerman the victory in his debut.
Mexico looked the more dangerous team in the beginning, generating chances and controling possession. Just minutes in, Márquez, who went a full 90, sent a long ball from his third of the field over the Colombian defense and into the path of Javier "Chicharito" Hernández, who couldn't latch onto the ball.
El Tri kept pressuring with dynamic wing play, and in the 21st minute, right midfielder Pablo Barrera sent in a cross that took a deflection and headed toward goal only to be denied by the upright.
Colombia slowly came on however, and in the 37th minute, forward Radamel Falcao gave the South Americans the lead. Forward Darlon Pabon unleashed a furious strike towards goal that Tri 'keeper Guillermo Ochoa spilled back into the six-yard box and into the path of Falcao, who bundled it home for the 1-0.
Mexico attempted to fight back in the second half, but it was Colombia who again found the net. At the hour mark, Pablo Armero made a run down the left side and sent in a low cross that evaded the hands of Ochoa and found the feet of Juan Cuadrado, who appeared unmarked in the box to calmly slot in Colombia's second of the match.
The loss was the second for Mexico head coach José Manuel de la Torre in 18 games at the helm of the national team.
SCORING SUMMARY:
COL -- Radamel Falcao, 37'
COL -- Juan Cuadrado, 60'
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
MEX -- Jesus Zavala, 35'
COL -- Radamel Falcao, 42'
MEX -- Pablo Barrera, 45'
COL -- Luis Perea, 68'
LINEUPS:
Mexico --- Guillermo Ochoa, Enriquez Perez (Efrain Hernandez, 80'), Rafael Marquez, Hector Moreno, Carlos Salcido, Jonathan dos Santos (Jorge Torres Nilo 46'), Jesus Zavala (Edgar Gerardo Lugo, 66'), Andres Guardado, Pablo Barrera (Damian Alvarez, 74'), Giovani dos Santos (Miguel Sabah, 60'), Javier Hernandez (Oribe Peralta, 72')
Colombia --- David Ospina, Luis Perea, Aquivaldo Mosquera, Camilo Zuniga, Pablo Armero, Carlos Alberto Sanchez, James Rodriguez (Giovanni Moreno, 79'), Juan Guillermo Cuadrado (Elkin Soto, 84'), Aldo Leao Ramirez (Teofilo Gutierrez, 67'), Radamel Falcao (Jackson Martinez, 87'), Dorlan Pabon
