BY Issah Olegor
Mexico national football team recorded a comfortable 2-0 victory over Ghana Black Stars in an international friendly at the Estadio Cuauhtémoc as both countries intensified preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The encounter offered Ghana an opportunity to assess several young and emerging players, with the Black Stars fielding an experimental squad dominated by debutants and U-23 talents against a strong Mexican side largely made up of experienced home-based players.
Goals from Brian Gutierrez and Guillermo Martínez Ayala ensured El Tri secured victory in a game where Ghana showed flashes of promise despite the defeat.
Early Goal Punishes Ghana
Mexico began the game aggressively and quickly capitalised on an early mistake from Ghana goalkeeper Benjamin Asare.
The Hearts of Oak shot-stopper misjudged a situation inside the penalty area, allowing Brian Gutierrez to seize possession and slot home the opener to give the hosts an early advantage.
The goal immediately put Ghana under pressure as Mexico dominated possession and controlled the tempo of the game throughout much of the first half.
Despite the mistake, Asare responded impressively and prevented the scoreline from becoming heavier before halftime. The goalkeeper produced at least three important saves to deny the Mexicans and redeem himself after the early error.
Mexico’s attacking movement and technical superiority caused problems for Ghana’s inexperienced side, but the Black Stars managed to keep the deficit at just one goal heading into the break.
Black Stars Show Fight After Restart
Ghana improved significantly after halftime and briefly threatened to get back into the game during their best spell of the encounter.
The Black Stars nearly found an equaliser when Sakyi struck the post, with the effort coming closest to troubling the Mexican defence.
However, Mexico quickly regained control and punished Ghana once again in the 54th minute when Guillermo Martínez Ayala calmly finished to double the hosts’ advantage.
The second goal effectively killed off Ghana’s hopes of mounting a comeback as Mexico managed the remainder of the game professionally.
Debutants Given Opportunity
The friendly also served as an important audition for several new faces in the Ghana squad ahead of the World Cup tournament to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico later this year.
Solomon Agbesi earned his first senior national team appearance after replacing Benjamin Asare in the second half.
Other players handed their Black Stars debuts included Prince Amoako, Rak Sakyi Addo, Salim Adams, Joseph Opoku and Daniel Oduro.
The inclusion of several young players highlighted Ghana’s efforts to test squad depth and identify additional options ahead of the global tournament.
Focus Turns To Wales Clash
The defeat forms part of Ghana’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the Black Stars have been drawn in a difficult group alongside England national football team, Croatia national football team and Panama national football team.
Ghana are expected to use the lessons from the Mexico defeat to fine-tune the squad before their final preparatory friendly against Wales national football team.
