Mexico is going for the title
After a free kick, Salcido tried a crossing pass but it sailed over the goal and toward the other end of the field leaving Mexico without a goal after 37 minutes of play.
Even with extended time, both teams were scoreless after the first half.
Pardo had a free kick for Mexico and he connected with Blanco for a header chance. Blanco could not effectively place the header and his shot went just wide of the left post in the 50th minute.
Mexico kept on the attack in the 54th minute as Blanco kicked a great crossing pass to attacker Adolfo Bautista who had just replaced midfielder Jose Andres Guardado in the beginning of the second half. Bautista headed it and Grandel made the save.
It was such a forceful header that Grandel fell backward after blocking the shot. Mexican midfielder Gerardo Torrado picked up a yellow card in the 57th minute which eventually led to a free kick for Guadeloupe.
Shortly thereafter, Jocelyn Angloma attempted a header for Guadeloupe but his shot went far over the Mexican crossbar. Good things happened for Mexico in the 69th minute.
Mexico Technical Director Hugo Sanchez substituted Torrado for fellow midfielder Fernando Arce during that pivotal minute. Within seconds, Pardo found himself alone and had a clean look at the Guadeloupe goal from 30 yards out. Pardo sent a shot that cruised past two defenders and he placed high and just inside the right post giving Mexico the lead and the eventual victory.
After scoring, Mexico played conservatively and held Guadeloupe at bay. Mexico was impressive defensively as El Tricolor outshot its opponent 7-1 with Guadeloupe's lone shot coming in the first half. Grandel collected seven saves while Sanchez corralled three for Mexico in goal.
GUADELOUPE – MEXICO 0:1 [0:0]
MEX – 8 - Pavel Pardo, 70’ (20-Fernando Arce)
GLP: 1- Franck Grandel, 2- Miguel Comminges, 6-Alain Vertot, 8-Stèphane Auvray, 10- Aurèlien Capoue, 14- David Sommeil, 15-Jocelyn Angloma, 19-Richard Edward Socrier (12- Cèdrick Fiston 78’), 20- Michael Tacalfred, 21- David Fleurival (13- Jean Luc Lambourde 90+’), 22- Loic Loval (11- Fabien Raddas 82’)
DNP / No jugaron: 4- Philippe Durpes, 16- Fabrice Mercury, 17- Lery Hannany, 18-Ludovic Quistin
TD: Roger Salnot
MEX: 1- Oswaldo Sanchez, 2- Jose Jonny Magallon, 3- Carlos Salcido, 5- Ricardo Osorio, 6- Gerardo Torrado (20- Fernando Arce 70’), 7- Alberto Medina, 8- Pavel Pardo, 9- Jared Borgetti, 10- Cuauhtemoc Blanco (19- Omar Bravo 85’), 18- Jose Andres Guardado (23- Adolfo Bautista 46’), 22- Francisco Rodriguez
DNP / No jugaron: 13- Guillermo Ochoa, 15- Jose Antonio Castro, 16-Jaime Lozano, 17- Jose Francisco Fonseca
TD: Hugo Sanchez
Booked /Amonestado:
GLP – 19 – Richard Edward Socrier, 27’
MEX – 6 – Gerardo Torrado 58’
MEX – 1 – Oswaldo Sanchez 89’
GLP – 15 – Jocelyn Angloma 90+’
Miller Lite Player of the Match: Pavel Pardo
Terra/Concacaf
