Mexico vs Nigeria: Intriguing Friendly ends 0-0
Mexico and Nigeria played out an evenly-matched 0-0 draw in front of a record crowd for Atlanta in their 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil warm-up match.
Both sides started the match tentatively as Nigeria’s backline, consisting of Godfrey Oboabona, Efe Ambrose, Kenneth Omeruo and Elderson Echiejile, were able to keep Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez and Oribe Peralta at bay.
For Nigeria’s attack, Liverpool’s Victor Moses and Fenerbahce’s Emmanuel Emenike looked like the most likely sources of goals for the Super Eagles. Moses had a penalty appeal denied in the 8th minute, while three minutes later, Emenike broke through inside Mexico’s penalty area only for Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa to save.
Mexico head coach Miguel Herrera’s defensive 5-3-2 system was exposed in the first half as Nigeria’s ferocious attackers capitalised on the lack of communication between Mexico’s captain Rafael Marquez and Espanyol’s Hector Moreno. On the attacking end for Mexico, Luis Montes was unable to find Hernandez in dangerous positions, while Peralta was left frustrated by Nigeria’s backline.
In the 18th minute, Moses made a 50-yard run, ending with his shot fizzing just wide of Ochoa’s left-hand post. Three minutes later, Mexico wasted a free-kick when Marquez and Bayer Leverkusen’s on-loan left-back Andres Guardado failed to adequately execute their dead-ball delivery.
Mexico’s best chance from the first half came from a corner in the 26th minute when Marquez’s headed effort forced Lille’s Vincent Enyeama to make an impressive save from six yards out. The remainder of the first half belonged to Mexico with Peralta volleying wide after outmuscling Oboabona in the 30th minute, while Enyeama was forced to parry a dangerous corner from Juan Carlos Medina two minutes later.
The final significant chance of the half was created by Leon’s Luis Montes who turned impressively before slotting Peralta through on goal, only for the Santos Laguna striker to be called for offside.
After a goalless first half, both coaches brought on a host of players, taking advantage of the opportunity to see players adapt to their respective formations. Notably, Enyeama was replaced by Austin Ejide of Hapoel Be’er Sheva in goal for Nigeria. Hernandez was replaced by Tigres’ forward Alan Pulido after picking up what is suspected to be a minor knee injury.
Mexico was able to carry their momentum from the first half into the second as Peralta had a six-yard shot from a cross saved by Ejide followed by a Guardado free-kick headed away by Omeruo.
Nigeria responded with their best chance of the evenly-contested match when CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa’s right-footed shot was saved by Ochoa from close range in the 56th minute.
Nigerian ‘keeper Ejide showcased the side’s depth in the position when he saved Pulido’s 20-yard shot a minute later.He then came up with a brave double save in the 69th minute, highlighted by an impressive punching clearance after challenging Peralta in the air.
Mexico had the last significant chance of the match in the 73rd minute when substitute Raul Jimenez failed to react in time to a driven cross from the left flank, resulting in a Nigerian goal kick.