USMNT lures Mexico – How social media reacted to CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers at Estadio Azteca

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The United States men’s national team traveled to Mexico on Thursday to start the crucial final window of CONCACAF World Cup 2022 qualifiers, and coach Gregg Berhalter promised they would be aggressive. Unfortunately for Berhalter (and his fans), this approach yielded no goals for the United States – and likewise for Mexico, Sorting couldn’t find an opening to score either.

The match ended 0-0, and the scoreless draw isn’t the worst result for either team – they each gained a point, and they both have two games left to try and get six. extra points to clinch their place in Qatar. It just wasn’t exactly the most fun iteration of this historic rivalry to watch.

So, with the match ending with a bit of a bang, here’s how the internet reacted to the ups and downs (well, there weren’t many ups, but you get the picture):

Pregame

Once the match started, those present couldn’t help but notice that the Estadio Azteca had a subdued atmosphere due to capacity restrictions.

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The stadium normally holds 87,000 people, but the Mexican Football Federation has reduced its capacity to 50,000 both due to COVID-19 and to better control crowds amid concerns over anti-gay chants often heard during football matches. Mexican national team matches.

Participants had to go through a registration system, called Fan ID, which makes it easier for fans who break the rules to be banned from future matches.

However, there was at least one American celebrity sighting: actor Owen Wilson was at the game supporting Team USA. Meanwhile, for Mexico, pop singer Mijares sang the Mexican national anthem.

35th minute

The game came to life in the 35th minute when Timothy Weah, running down the right flank, ran past the face of Christian Pulisic’s goal. Without a runner following him, Pulisic attempted the point shot with his left foot, but goalkeeper Memo Ochoa did well to block it.

This ended up being the USMNT’s best chance in the first half. Pulisic scared USMNT fans when he stayed on the game, but he got up, albeit cautiously.

The first half saw neither team exert dominance or take control of the game, and there were plenty of errant touches to be made.

Mexico completed 72.5% of their passes in the first half, while the United States only completed 66.4%. Of Mexico’s four shots in the first half, only one was on target. USA also had four shots but put three on the frame.

half time

With the score tied at 0-0 and neither team finding the lead, social media took some time to reflect on the 45 minutes of football everyone had just witnessed. It wasn’t exactly what everyone was hoping for.

72nd minute

If Pulisic’s first-half saved shot was hard for USMNT fans to see, Jordan Pefok overtook him in the 72nd minute. With a golden chance to score from the middle of the box, Pefok sent his shot wide to the right.

As the social media reactions made it clear, the USMNT probably should have been up 1-0 at that point.

Final whistle

In the end, the USMNT rose to the challenge of playing on the road at the Estadio Azteca well, and the odds were definitely there to secure the winner.

But that was not to be the case. And now the USMNT has two more matches to secure the points it needs to qualify for the World Cup. Next, the United States will face Panama in Orlando, Florida on Sunday.

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