MEXICO CITY, Mexico – Long-time rivals Mexico and the United States played to a hard-fought 0-0 draw on matchday 12 of the Third Round of Concacaf World Cup Qualifying for Qatar 2022 on Thursday night at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
It was a day in which the defensive units of each side stood tall, especially GKs Zack Steffen of the U.S. and Guillermo Ochoa of Mexico.
Mexico were first to flirt with a score, as Johan Vasquez’s header in the 13’ required a save from Steffen. The resulting break led to a chance for the U.S. in which a ball fell for Yunus Musah,
but the Valencia man saw his shot tipped wide by the legendary Ochoa.
Increíblemente, el partidazo entre México y Estados Unidos en el Estadio Azteca termina sin goles.
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) March 25, 2022
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The game at the Estadio Azteca ends with no goals despite plenty of chances for both sides.
⏱️ FT 🇲🇽 0 vs 🇺🇸0 #CWCQ pic.twitter.com/JmhyGs1Fbs
The best scoring opportunity of the first half arrived in the 35’ and once again Ochoa played the role of hero, denying Christian Pulisic from point-blank range after a cross from right winger
Timothy Weah.
Both teams increased the intensity as the second half wore on, with Mexico coming close on a Hirving Lozano right-footed shot that flew over the crossbar in the 57’, while a perfectly placed
header from Gio Reyna into the path of Jordan Pefok, which was struck wide by the latter.
Lozano was back at it in the 79’ and hit a swerving shot that forced another save from Steffen. That was the start of a late Mexican surge, but the U.S. defense held firm until the final whistle, resulting in a share of the points.
