MEXICO City, Mexico.- With a goal and assist from Rodolfo Pizarro, plus scores from Roberto Alvarado and Jose Juan Macias, Mexico saw off Panama 3-1 on Tuesday night at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The result makes El Tri two for two in Nations League competition and puts them atop Group B with a pair of matches remaining.
It was also Mexico’s eighth win in eight matches against Panama at the Estadio Azteca and improves El Tri’s all-time mark against the Canaleros to 13W-5D-2L.
Mexico’s attack started well but couldn’t find the final touch early on. That changed in the 28th minute when Alvarado playing a one-two with Rodolfo Pizarro and smashing in the opener with his left foot from just inside the box.
Panama went into the halftime break level, however, thanks to an error from Mexico center back Carlos Salcedo. Gabriel Torres looked to put a low cross into the box in the 42nd minute, but a sliding Salcedo inadvertently directed it into his own net.
Mexico lost Hirving Lozano to injury just after the hour mark, but were able to find the winning goal without the star attacker thanks to a pretty team move in the 75th minute.
Left back Cristian Calderon got forward and found Pizarro, who played the ball to Alvarado near the top of the box. His diagonal pass found substitute forward Jose Juan Macias who scored his third goal in two CNL matches.
Pizarro tied the bow on the victory, with an attempted clearance deflecting to put him in on the goalkeeper, and the Monterrey star making no mistake.
