Giovani dos Santos and Marco Fabian celebrate after Mexico scored against New Zealand in an international friendly on October 8, 2016, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo: John Bacon/Straffon Images)
NASHVILLE, Tennessee – Mexico scored a goal in each half to overcome New Zealand, 2-1, in an international friendly on Saturday at Nissan Stadium.
With the result, the Tricolor improved to 9W-2D-1L in 2016 and will next face Panama on Tuesday in Bridgeview, Illinois.
Giovani dos Santos played his first game for Mexico since it won the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, celebrating his return by scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot in the 29th minute after Hirving Lozano was fouled in the box.
New Zealand leveled in the 46th minute, when Marco Rojas slid the ball into the back of the net from two-yards out off Deklan Wynne’s left-sided cross.
Marco Fabian struck for the game-winner in the 56th minute, finishing from nine-yards out following a neat passing sequence with Oribe Peralta.
Jesus Gallardo, Hedgardo Marin and Jordan Silva each started in their debuts for Mexico, which outdistanced New Zealand, 9-3 on aggregate, in a playoff for a berth in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
