Wales claimed a first win over Mexico as they won 1-0 at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Kieffer Moore scored the games only goal as Rob Page earned a confidence-building win ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier with the Czech Republic.
Rob Page fielded a completely different eleven to the side which lost 3-1 to Belgium on Wednesday, but the much-changed side were able to contend with Gerardo Martino’s men.
The victory ensured a win on Chris Gunter’s 100th appearance for Wales as the Charlton Athletic man captained his side to victory in the unfamiliar role of centre-back.
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Mexico had possession from the kick-off and almost were awarded a penalty. Héctor Herrera sent a through ball for Hirving Lozano to chase and he fell after colliding with Ben Cabango but the referee didn’t deem it a penalty.
Rob Page’s team selection baffled many but as Wales found their feet it was evident that Jonny Williams was being deployed in an unfamiliar role as a wing-back, he didn’t show any jitters however as he made a crunching tackle.
Williams showed he still had his attacking instincts as he played a part in the game’s opening goal.
Tyler Roberts held the ball up before teeing up Williams to deliver a low cross to club teammate Moore who scored past Guillermo Ochoa with a deft flick.
Mexico were getting disgruntled in Wales’ cheap fouls and had reasons to be incensed as Dylan Levitt made a cynical tackle to take the momentum out of a counter-attack.
Wales were under the cosh and goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey had to be alert to a Mexico attack. Orbelín Pineda’s side-spliting pass found Jesus Gallardo but Hennessey slid to his feet.
The hosts didn’t create many chances to add to Moore’s goal, but Rabbi Matondo released the ball to Dylan Levitt but his driven shot went wayward.
The last meaningful chance fell to Luis Rodriguez who laced a shot straight at Hennessey who was untroubled by the effort.
Embed from Getty ImagesHal Robson-Kanu was introduced for goalscorer Moore at the break and he nearly made a quick impact. Tyler Roberts won possession on the flank before squaring to the West Brom man but he was unable to turn home the pass.
Hennessey, who was making his first senior appearance in five months, showed no signs of rustiness as he made a vital save.
Pineda opened up the Welsh defence to find Lozano but Hennessey blocked well with his legs for a corner-kick.
Hennessey was alert again as he saved Lozano’s point-blank effort after Edson Álvarez headed it into his path. The linesman later flagged for offside.
Another substitute at the break, Josh Sheehan almost opened his account for Wales. He powered a shot that went inches past the post.
As both sides made more substitutions, the game became more scrappy with neither side making any opportunities.
Fifteen minutes remaining, however, Pineda, who had been Mexico’s bright spark of the evening, curled a shot just wide to remind Wales of their threat.
In the last chance of the match, Jesús Corona almost caused Wales a scare but his half-volley was sent over the bar to allow Wales victory on Gunter’s night.
Wales: Wayne Hennessey, Chris Gunter (C), Ben Cabango, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Tom Lawrence (Neco Williams, 63), Jonny Williams (Connor Roberts, 85), Matt Smith, Dylan Levitt (Josh Sheehan, 46), Tyler Roberts (Brennan Johnson, 63), Rabbi Matondo (Gareth Bale, 80), Kieffer Moore (Hal Robson-Kanu, 46)
Goals: Kieffer Moore 10′
Mexico: Guillermo Ochoa, Carlos Salcedo, Edson Álvarez (Diego Lainez, 82), Orbelín Pineda (Jonathan Dos Santos, 78), Héctor Herrera, Jesús Corona, Andrés Guardado (Jorge Sanchez, 60), Cèsar Montes, Luis Rodriguez (Rodolfo Pizzaro, 60), Hirving Lozano, Jesus Gallardo (Gerardo Arteaga, 78)
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