SOCHI, Russia – If there is one takeaway from Mexico’s (2W-1D-0L, 7 points) 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup campaign thus far, it has been the Tricolor’s resiliency.
In all three Group A matches, Mexico rallied from a 1-0 deficit to either battle back for a draw (2-2 v Portugal) or a victory (2-1 v New Zealand; 2-1 v Russia).
Saturday’s victory over the Russians (1-0-2, 3) was the most recent example, as the seven-time Gold Cup champion overcame Aleksandr Samedov’s 25th-minute goal to claim all three points thanks to headers from defender Nestor Araujo (30’) and attaker Hirving Lozano (52’).
“The mentality of this team has carried us to come back in the three matches we have played,” said defender Hector Moreno. “When we play, we do it with confidence and belief in ourselves, so that when a goal is scored on us, we always know that we are doing things well and that we can answer it.”
Forward Javier Hernandez added that Mexico’s ability to stay calm in the face of adversity has fueled the prospect of emerging as Confederations Cup champion for a second-ever time.
“I think that we have the character, attitude and mindset to not get desperate and to be able to come from behind,” the 29-year-old commented. “If we want to win the cup, it doesn’t matter who we face. What we want is to win it. We have not lost and it is something that gives us calmness and confidence.”
Mexico will face Germany in the semifinals on Thursday.
