Gerardo “Tata” Martino and Mexico will be feeling the heat when they take on another dangerous fellow World Cup participant in Ecuador after their 3-0 beating at the hands of another South American side, Uruguay on June 2.
The loss to Uruguay was one of the worst performance in the Tata Martino era, and it forced him to deflect calls for resignation just five months from the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where Mexico will be facing Poland, Argentina and Saudi Arabia in Group C.
But Ecuador, which was drawn into World Cup Group A, will present a lot of the same challenges that Uruguay did on Thursday with dangerous transitions and physical play. Mexico, which is already experiencing its share of scoring woes, will have its work cut out for it to beat the third-best team defense in South American qualifying.
Whatever happens in Chicago, Mexico will have to get set for two CONCACAF Nations League matches coming up against Suriname (June 11) and Jamaica (June 14), who will present El Tri with different challenges.
Sporting News is following the Mexico vs. Ecuador match live and providing live score updates, commentary.
MORE: Complete FIFA World Cup schedule, groups times and matchups
Mexico vs. Ecuador live score
| 1H | 2H | Final | |
| Mexico | 0 | — | — |
| Ecuador | 0 | — | — |
Goals:
None
Mexico vs Ecuador live updates, highlights from World Cup friendly
25th min.: Ecuador chance! Moises Caicedo takes on Nestor Araujo 1-on-1 and gets a shot off, but Hector Moreno is there to block the shot in the Mexico box. Meanwhile, Tecatito can’t go any more. Antuna getting ready to come on.
Barrida salvadora de Héctor Moreno😱
El central de Rayados evita lo que pudo ser el primer gol de ecuador.
🇲🇽@miseleccionmx 0-0 @FEFecuador 🇪🇨
EN VIVO 🔴https://t.co/HDvLKEEmCU
#CaminoAQatar #Mexico #Ecuador pic.twitter.com/i1jYXC5DRT
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) June 6, 2022
18th min.: Ecuador put the ball in the back of the net, but there was a whistle before Gonzalo Plata touched it home. Michael Estrada was called for a foul on Nestor Araujo, though it looked like he may have stripped him clean.
14th min.: Big chance for Mexico. Tecatito Corona has the goal at his mercy as he runs onto a cross, and he sends the ball straight at the ‘keeper. Tecatito clashes with a defender in the process, and he’s hurting, getting treatment on his right leg on the endline.
Perdona Tecatito
Corona tenía el primero para México pero no logra darle colocación al balón. 😩😱
🇲🇽@miseleccionmx 0-0 @FEFecuador 🇪🇨
EN VIVO 🔴https://t.co/HDvLKEEmCU
#CaminoAQatar #Mexico #Ecuador pic.twitter.com/9rTGEl3GxQ
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) June 5, 2022
8th min.: What! Header by Andres Guardado in the Ecuador box on a cross from right back Jorge Sanchez. It was right at goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez, who had the easy stop.
Ceeeeeerca el remate de cabeza de Andrés Guardado ⚽️
📹 @oscar_caliz#CaminoAQatar | #UltimoMundialDelPerro pic.twitter.com/GwSo9ZWNLq
— TUDN MEX (@TUDNMEX) June 5, 2022
5th min.: Lots of energy to start the match with both teams getting into the box. Raul Jimenez had his shot blocked on one end, and Gonzalo Plata’s cross in the Mexico box was deflected by Memo Ochoa on the other end.
1st min.: El Tri vs. La Tri is underway. Big occasion for Hector Herrera.
💯 caps in the 💯th #MEXTOUR match. 🤩👏🏼
Quite a day today – specially for @HHerreramex. 🇲🇽💚#HechoDeLosMexicanos | #FMFporNuestroFútbol pic.twitter.com/UCoVSqWRFy
— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) June 5, 2022
1 min from kickoff: The captain’s are at midfield for the formalities. Andres Guardado (Mexico) and goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez (Ecuador) exchanging pleasantries.
Jared Borgetti fue parte del volado de capitanes antes de iniciar el partido entre México y Ecuador. pic.twitter.com/VgOSsWrhXR
— Goles y Cifras (@golesycifras) June 5, 2022
Gustavo Alfaro y Gerardo Martino, estrategas de Ecuador y México, se saludaron previo al encuentro.
📷 Imago pic.twitter.com/nw0jAmfngg
— CANCHA (@reformacancha) June 5, 2022
5 mins from kickoff: National anthem time. Ecuador up first.
15 mins from kickoff: A capacity crowd is expected at Soldier Field.
🔊Sonido local: Con el número9️⃣@Raul_Jimenez9
La afición del Soldier Field inmediatamente: 🥳🥳🥳
🎥@oscar_caliz#CaminoAQatar pic.twitter.com/P9woIHQtcR
— TUDN MEX (@TUDNMEX) June 5, 2022
MORE: All about Mexico’s opponents in World Cup Group C
Mexico vs Ecuador lineups
Tata Martino changed the entire lineup from the Nigeria match (May 28) to the Uruguay loss (June 2) except for Cesar Montes, who started both matches. The Monterrey center back gets a breather with another set of wholesale changes.
The Mexico coach has a large squad at his disposal, and although versatile defender Julio Cesar “Cata” Dominguez is back after a bout with COVID-19, he is not in the squad given his absence from recent training sessions.
With the delicate moment his team is experiencing a mere months away from the World Cup, Martino opts for veterans Andres Guardado and Hector Herrera to anchor the midfield. The presence of steady center backs Hector Moreno and Nestor Araujo could also help the back line feel settled.
Mexico lineup (4-3-3, left to right): Guillermo Ochoa (GK) — Jesus Gallardo, Hector Moreno, Nestor Araujo, Jorge Sanchez — Andres Guardado, Hector Herrera, Fernando Beltran — Alexis Vega, Raul Jimenez, Tecatito Corona
Mexico subs (12): Alfredo Talavera (GK), Rodolfo Cota (GK), Johan Vasquez, Cesar Montes, Luis Chavez, Erick Aguirre, Luis Romo, Sebastian Cordova, Orbelin Pineda, Santi Gimenez, Uriel Antuna, Diego Lainez
Mexico players not in matchday squad (14): Carlos Acevedo (GK), Israel Reyes, Julian Araujo, Julio Cesar Dominguez, Jesus Angulo, Gerardo Arteaga, Kevin Alvarez, Erick Gutierrez, Edson Alvarez, Erik Lira, Rodolfo Pizarro, Roberto Alvarado, Marcelo Flores, Henry Martin
Ecuador manager Gustavo Alfaro promised that more than half the team would be switched up for Mexico, as he continues to experiment and allow other players to recover. And he was a man of his word, with right back Angelo Preciado picking up a knock against Nigeria.
Forward Jordy Caicedo and veteran midfielder Carlos Gruezo were late additions to the squad, and Gruezo gets the start at the heart of midfield.
Ecuador lineup (4-3-3, left to right): 22-Alexander Dominguez (GK) — 7-Pervis Estupinan, 3-Piero Hincapie, 4-Robert Arboleda, 14-Xavier Arreaga — 23-Moises Caicedo, 8-Carlos Gruezo, 5-Jose Cifuentes — 10-Romario Ibarra, 11-Michael Estrada, 19-Gonzalo Plata.
Ecuador subs (12): 1-Hernan Galindez (GK), 12-Moises Ramirez (GK), 2-Felix Torres, 6-Byron Castillo, 18-Diego Palacios, 20-Jhegson Mendez, 21-Alan Franco, 16-Jeremy Sarmiento, 15-Angel Mena, 13-Enner Valencia, 17-Jordy Caicedo, 9-Leonardo Campana.
Ecuador players not in matchday squad (5): Jackson Porozo, Angelo Preciado, Dixon Arroyo, Alexander Alvarado, Djorkaeff Reasco.
MORE: Complete match schedule, times & stadiums for 2022 World Cup
Mexico vs Ecuador TV channel, live stream
- Date: Sunday, June 5
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- TV channel: Univision, TUDN
- Streaming: fuboTV, TUDN site & app
The match will be televised by Univision and TUDN live from Soldier Field in Chicago. Both channels are streamed on fuboTV.
A pro-Mexico crowd is expected in Chicago as is customary for El Tri’s matches in the Windy City.
MORE: Watch Mexico vs. Ecuador live on fuboTV (get access now)
Mexico vs Ecuador best bets, pick & prediction
Odds via Sports Interaction (Canada only)
In the betting market, Mexico is the favorite to bounce back from a difficult loss against Uruguay, but Ecuador will present similar challenges: physical play, quick transitions, and dangerous set-pieces.
And Mexico will probably still have some of the same scoring issues in attack that were evident against Uruguay. The absence of the injured Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, who is often the inspiration up top, is noticeable for Mexico.
There shouldn’t be much between these two sides, and Ecuador is dangerous enough that they could even pull off a narrow win against a Mexican side that will be under pressure to avoid another setback. Ecuador had the third-stingiest defense in South American qualifying (19 goals allowed in 18 matches).
The +0.25 Ecuador Asian handicap would be a winner in case of an Ecuador victory and a half win (and half push) in case of a draw.
| Sports Interaction |
|
|---|---|
| Mexico Win | +117 |
| Draw | +211 |
| Ecuador Win | +216 |
| Both teams to score Y / N |
-132 / -119 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals |
+104 / -143 |
| Mexico -0.5 | +119 |
| Ecuador +0.5 | -159 |
