The Tricolor rallied late to clinch a 2-0 win over Suriname as Diego Cocca started his tenure as head coach of Mexico in the Concacaf Nations League.
The display hinted at a bright start for Cocca’s side, with Mexico dictating the tempo and showing efficiency in front of goal during the Nations League clash. That resilience left El Tri perched atop Group A with seven points from three games in League A.
From a cautious opening, the visitors grew more confident after halftime. Johan Vázquez broke the deadlock, and a later own goal from a Surinamese defender—set up by a cross from Uriel Antuna—doubled the margin. Santiago Giménez had a late opportunity to seal a stronger performance, but his penalty was saved and went wide, leaving the goalkeeper untested on the rebound.
Mexico’s Nations League campaign resumes this Sunday with a home fixture against Jamaica at the Estadio Azteca. The match will offer Cocca another chance to steer the team from the dugout in front of a home crowd, as they aim to build momentum before supporters across North America.
In this recap, GOAL highlights the pivotal moments of the night, providing a clear view of the flow and turning points that defined the result.
CLOSE BY, ALVARADO
Alvarado was a constant threat on the flank, pressing high and delivering into dangerous zones. His aggressive runs forced Suriname into hurried clearances, generating several half-chances that kept the defense honest and stretched the visitors’ capacity to respond as the game wore on.
EYE WITH ARTEAGA
Arteaga showed composure when Mexico sought to control possession in the middle of the park. His distribution helped maintain rhythm, and his smart positioning kept the team in a stable shape as Suriname pressed in patches after the opener.
ACEVEDO QUICK COUPLING
Acevedo linked play effectively with teammates, showcasing sharp one-two combinations that opened passing lanes. His awareness supported the buildup and contributed to the eventual second goal that sealed the victory for El Tri.
NEARBY, SURINAME
Suriname adjusted after conceding, attempting quick breaks and direct runs. While they created moments of danger, the Mexican defense held firm, closing spaces and denying clean shots on goal as the clock ticked down.
Oh ANTUNA
Antuna’s pace and willingness to take on defenders created several openings. He supplied the assists and stretched the back line, proving to be a persistent outlet for Mexico in the final third.
There were several misses from Mexico’s forwards, reminding observers that the final touch can decide tightly contested matches. Yet the pressure remained on Suriname’s defense as Mexico pushed for a more comfortable margin.
GOAL BY JOHAN VASQUEZ
Vázquez’s contribution proved decisive. A carefully executed sequence delivered the opening goal, signaling Mexico’s intent to control the match. The finish was clinical and reflected the team’s growing cohesion under Cocca.
SANTI THE MISFIRE
The momentary misfortune for Giménez, who saw a penalty stopped, underscored how a single miss can influence a game’s dynamics even when a side dominates possession and creates chances.
SURINAME’S OWN GOAL
A regrettable own goal shaped the night, underscoring how deflections and miscommunications at set-piece moments can dramatically alter a match’s trajectory.
In summary, the evening underlined Mexico’s readiness to apply pressure under new leadership while showing strength in defense and potential for further offensive development as the Nations League unfolds.