05/22/26 11:42:00
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05/22 23:37 CDT Gutirrez and Martinez lead Mexico to victory over Ghana in a
World Cup warm-up
Gutirrez and Martinez lead Mexico to victory over Ghana in a World Cup warm-up
By CARLOS RODRIGUEZ
AP Sports Writer
PUEBLA, Mxico (AP) --- Midfielder Brian Gutirrez and striker Guillermo
Martinez scored goals as Mexico edged Ghana 2-0 on Friday in a warm-up match
for the 2026 World Cup.
Gutirrez, an American-born player aiming for his first World Cup appearance,
scored the first goal of the match in the second minute and Martnez added a
goal in the 52nd for Mexico.
With the win, Mexico ran its unbeaten streak to six matches. Its last defeat
was in November to Paraguay.
The match was held at the Cuauhtemoc stadium in Puebla, a city located 130
kilometers (80 miles) from Mexico City.
The stadium wasn't completely sold out because FIFA sanctioned Mexico for the
homophobic chant its fans used in friendly matches against Ecuador and Paraguay
at the end of last year.
Mexico will play its first World Cup match on June 11 against South Africa at
the Azteca Stadium. On June 18, the team faces South Korea in Guadalajara and
closes out the first round against Czech Republic in Mexico City.
Carlos Queiroz made his debut as Ghana coach with the loss. The veteran coach
used an inexperienced squad because the match was outside FIFA's international
window. Last month, the 73-year-old coach replaced Otto Addo, who was fired
after a string of disappointing results.
At the World Cup, Ghana will first face Panama on June 17 in Toronto.
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AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
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