Canada lost 2-0 to Mexico in the Concacaf Nations League semifinal at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, California Thursday.
It was a disappointing result for Canada, who came to southern California full of optimism, and with a certain level of expectation. But despite an overall positive performance, and a very questionable penalty non-decision, the Canadians came up short against the continent’s historical powerhouse.
Canada will now face the United States in the Nations League third place game Sunday. The USA lost to Panama 1-0 in the earlier semifinal.
“I’m happy with the resilience we showed,” said Canadian defender Alistair Johnstone after the match during a broadcast interview. “It’s a bummer that we didn’t get the goal. But there’s a penalty we probably should have had.
“We’ll regroup. We have a third place game here against America. It’ll be tough. But we’ll go again.”
Terrible start for Canada
Mexico took the lead in only the first minute when Raúl Jiménez collected the ball after a mix up and scramble in the heart of the Canadian defence.
The Fulham striker wasted little time when the ball was deflected into his path, quickly dispatching the ball past Canadian keeper Dayne St. Clair.
Canada head coach Jesse Marsch had said prior his team would play this semifinal on the front foot, implementing an “aggressive” strategy.
And the Canadians responded well to the early deficit.
Canada denied penalty
Canada had a very good shout for a penalty kick when Derek Cornelius appeared to have been fouled in the 10th minute. However, Honduran referee Hector Martinez saw it as a foul committed by the Canadian defender, and the VAR didn’t intervene.
It looked an unjust decision, with broadcast replays clearly showing Cornelius playing the ball before being kicked by Mexican defender Edson Álvarez.
Canada continued to look for a quick response, with Jonathan David shooting over the Mexican goal in the 12th minute.
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The semifinal first-half progressed without any true clear cut opportunities other than the first-minute goal.
Mexico thought they had found a second goal when centre-back Álvarez headed a free kick past St. Clair in the 39th minute. But the Mexican defender was correctly adjudged to have been offside when the ball had been played.
Alphonso Davies threatened with free kick late in the first half. But the Canadian talisman curved his effort past Mexican keeper Luis Malagón’s post.
And while there was generally little goal mouth action, both sides continued playing a fully committed brand of football, contributing to an intense first 45. Canada incurred three yellow cards in the first half, while Mexico received two.
Canada pushes in second half but to no avail
Canadian captain Davies had a decent chance to start the second half. The Canadian captain sliced a left footed effort wide of Malagón’s post from the edge of the box – the Bayern Munich left-back perhaps guilty of over complicating his technique on the effort.
Canada’s Cornelius nearly managed to head his side level, attacking a looping ball in the six yard box. But the Olympique de Marseille defender only managed to plant his forehead against the back of Álvarez’s.
But Mexico did double their lead in 75th minute when Jiménez scored a powerful free kick. And while the strike was spectacular, there may be questions asked of keeper St. Clair’s wall placement – Jimenez didn’t need much curve to get it around the Canadian defensive wall.
Mexico will face Panama in the Nations League final on Sunday.
