Action from the international friendly between Mexico (green jersey) and visiting Ecuador on February 7, 2015, in Mexico City. (Photo: FMF/Imago7)
MEXICO CITY – Despite being a down a player for most of the game, Mexico broke a scoreless stalemate with a pair of second-half goals to defeat visiting Ecuador for the second time in three days, 2-0, on Saturday at the Mexican Football Federation’s High Performance Center.
Jennifer Ruiz and Arianna Romero netted for the Tricolor, which extended its home-winning streak to six consecutive games, posting shutouts in each of those outings.
Ecuador nearly took the lead, though, when Ruiz was judged to have fouled Ingrid Rodriguez in the Mexican penalty area. Rodriguez attempted the kick from the spot herself only for goalkeeper Pamela Tajonar to make a save.
The host was reduced a player late in the first half after Veronica Perez was issued yellow cards in the 34th and 38th minutes.
Following the break, the South Americans remained on the front foot as Angie Ponce’s effort from the left grazed Tajonar’s crossbar.
Mexico went ahead in the 48th minute through a Ruiz header off a corner kick.
That lead was doubled in the 72nd minute thanks to the combination between two second-half substitutes. A left-sided feed by Carolina Jaramillo was finished superbly by Romero.
The Mexicans return to action with a meeting against a yet-to-be-determined opponent on March 4 in the Cyprus Women’s Cup.