Oribe Peralta and Mexico were involved in a sensational tupsy-turvy, dramatic game on Wednesday, as they recovered from a 1-0 deficit, to defeat New Zealand 2-1 in a FIFA Confederations game.
This was after Leeds United striker Chris Wood gave All Whites a first half lead before Benfica’s Raul Jimenez and Peralta sealed the win, with the victory leaving Mexico on the verge of the Confederations Cup semi-finals.
New Zealand scored two minutes to the end of first stanza when Wood slotted in an Clayton Lewis pass.
With star striker Javier Hermandez on the bench,Mexico’s three-man attack of Peralts,Jimnez and Juergen Damm struggled to make an impact in the remaining minutes.
In the second half,the Ocenia Champions started where they had left and Wood was slightly denied by wood work minutes after resumption.
Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio had to make a change bringing in Herrera whose impact was immediately felt.The pace of the game improved,Javier Aquin had an opportunity forcing New Zealand keeper Stefan Morinovic into a left-handed save,before Giovani dos Santo fired over.
Peralta then hit the winner in the 72nd minute when Aquino pulled the ball back into play for the wonderful strike
The result left Mexico coach Osario a happy man and praised his charges for the win knowing better that a draw aganist their next opponents Russia will place them in the next stage.
“We improved greatly when Hector came in and we have to see what happens now against Russia,” said Osorio.
“I am proud of what my team did, it’s normal to have to suffer at this level, but we deserved to win.
“We know how to adapt to different opponents.”
New Zealand coach Anthony Hudson had vowed they would bounce back after Saturday’s opening 2-0 defeat by Russia and his team were true to his word.
“Everyone is incredibly disappointed in the changing room and we feel we should have got more,” said Hudson.
“It was an incredible first-half performance from us.
“The first 10 minutes after the break, we gave them too much space and time on the ball.”
