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Mexico trounce Super Eagles in Los Angeles friendly

MEXICO handed the Super Eagles a 4-0 thrashing on Sunday morning in a friendly in Los Angeles, California.

Backed by most of the over 70,000 fans at the LA Coliseum, Mexico ruthlessly dismantled the Nigerian team made up wholly of Nigeria Professional Football League players, a majority of whom were playing in such an atmosphere for the first time.

Hector Herrera, Rogelio Funes Mori and Jonathan dos Santos all scored as Mexico completed an unexpectedly comfortable win, their biggest victory over Nigeria ever.

The defeat means the Super Eagles have not won any of their last eight friendly matches stretching back to 2019.

The Mexicans, preparing for the defence of their CONCACAF Gold Cup title, were quick off the blocks, scoring in the first two minutes.

Atletico Madrid midfielder Herrera bundled the ball home from a corner kick to start the rout.

The Super Eagles had hardly settled after conceding so early when Mexico made it 2-0 two minutes later, with Monterrey striker Funes Mori powering home from inside the box to further unsettle the Nigerians.

The Eagles were able to prevent further goals in the first half against the dominant Mexicans who sought to entertain the massive crowd made up mostly of their compatriots.

Nigeria even had two half-chances late in the half, both of which fell to captain for the night Anayo Iwuala, but the crafty Enyimba forward was denied by the Mexico defence.

However, the third goal arrived six minutes after the break, Mexico captain Herrera bagging his second off a rebound.

Substitute Dos Santos, who plays for Los Angeles Galaxy, wrapped up the scoring for El Tri in the 77th minute as Mexico ended their MexTour series on a triumphant note.

The victory is Mexico’s second over the Super Eagles in six encounters, with the other four ending in draws.

They had never beaten Nigeria at senior level by more than a one-goal margin before Sunday morning, however.

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Naija Times