Mexico vs Denmark served as the final World Cup tune-up for El Tri ahead of a huge match against Germany a week from Sunday. While the team’s fought to a deadlock in the first half, two goals in the second sunk Mexico and sent El Tri to Russia with a defeat on Saturday in Brøndbyvester, Denmark.
Mexico opens the World Cup against reigning champion Germany on June 17 so to prepare El Tri scheduled its final friendly ahead of the tournament against Denmark, a skillful team, though not on the level of Die Mannschaft.
The first half went well, with Mexico holding Denmark at bay, though much of that was down to keeper Guillermo Ochoa.
However, Denmark finally breached his goal in the 71st minute with this golazo from Yussuf Poulsen.
(70’) | ¡No es un GOL, es un GOLAAZOOO!
Yussuf Poulsen con una joya de recorte y un gran riflazo abre el marcador para Dinamarca.Dinamarca 1-0 @miseleccionmx pic.twitter.com/3Yt3KAkUG3
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) June 9, 2018
Christian Eriksen then made it 2-0 moments later when the Mexican defense was slow to react to the Tottenham midfielder’s run.
(73’) | ¡GOOOOOOL! Sorprenden a la saga mexicana y Eriksen marca el segundo de Dinamarca en menos de cuatro minutos.
Dinamarca 2-0 @miseleccionmx pic.twitter.com/muBvXlsu2h— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) June 9, 2018
Denmark’s goals came after both teams made a number of second-half substitutions, so it’s hard to read too much into the final result. Regardless, El Tri fans would have loved a win for Mexico vs Denmark to have a little more confidence ahead of the huge Germany match.
Ultimately, the Mexico vs Denmark friendly will help El Tri prepare for the strength of the German side moreso than the last two friendlies, which included a 0-0 draw against Wales.
Mexico did beat Scotland 1-0 in its last match in Mexico before heading to Europe, but the performance left a lot to be desired. Many El Tri players then went out to party after, though it's unlikely that played a factor in Saturday's result.
Before the match the approximately 3,000 Mexico fans in attendance made their voices heard in fantastic fashion.
Brøndby Stadium looking sharp today!
is almost here!#NadaNosDetiene pic.twitter.com/JQouZRGAuw— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) June 9, 2018
Expect to see more of that in Russia.
When the Mexico vs Denmark match finally started, it was the home side that started strongest, forcing the Mexico No. 1 into action early and often. Carlos Salcedo also made a saving sliding tackle to deny an opportunity in the seventh minute.
(07‘) | Gran jugada de @Csalcedojr para evitar el Gol de Dinamarca.
Dinamarca 0-0 @miseleccionmx #DENvsMEXSigue el partido EN VIVO https://t.co/Redue9IL7I pic.twitter.com/IGKkPN8lkz
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) June 9, 2018
And then it was the Ochoa show.
#1T 12' DEN 0-0 MEX
— Selección Nacional (@miseleccionmx) June 9, 2018
(27‘) | ¡Cerca! Delaney con el mano a mano y @yosoy8a se empieza a convertir en héroe tras desviar el disparo danes.
Dinamarca 0-0 @miseleccionmx #DENvsMEXSíguelo en VIVO https://t.co/Redue9IL7I pic.twitter.com/wTqiCWvNzU
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) June 9, 2018
#NoMemoNoParty #NadaNosDetiene pic.twitter.com/xWJFcjDdsn
— Selección Nacional (@miseleccionmx) June 9, 2018
Mexico’s first good chance came in the 32nd minute when Jesús Gallardo and Oribe Peralta nearly combined in the box. It was a sign of things to come for El Tri, who were building into the match.
(32‘) | ¡Cerca! @JGallardo_17 con un centro en la línea y @OribePeralta muy cerca de abrir el marcador.
Dinamarca 0-0 @miseleccionmxSigue el partido #DENvsMEX EN VIVO https://t.co/Redue9IL7I pic.twitter.com/TRzlRcNP74
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) June 9, 2018
Héctor Herrera then forced a save from Kasper Schmeichel with a low heater.
(33‘) | ¡RIFLAZO! @HHerreramex con un fogonazo de larga distancia a las manos de @kschmeichel1
Dinamarca 0-0 @miseleccionmxSigue el partido #DENvsMEX EN VIVO https://t.co/Redue9IL7I pic.twitter.com/sinA1yPZu3
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) June 9, 2018
Then it was Andres Guardado’s turn to try from long range, hitting his shot just wide.
(35‘) | ¡Muy cerca! @AGuardado18 con un disparo que pasa muy cerca del travesaño.
Dinamarca 0-0 @miseleccionmxNo te pierdas ni un minuto del #DENvsMEX en VIVO https://t.co/Redue9IL7I pic.twitter.com/f8GhHQsFIc
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) June 9, 2018
The last good chance of the first half came from Eriksen, who made a wonderful turn to create space on his favored right foot before firing just wide.
(41‘) | ¡UFFFFF! @ChrisEriksen8 con un disparo de francotirador que se va apenas desviado.
Dinamarca 0-0 @miseleccionmxNo te pierdas ni un minuto en VIVO https://t.co/Redue9IL7I pic.twitter.com/A7LGL1diYY
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) June 9, 2018
The second half of the Mexico vs Denmark match featured fewer chances as both teams began to shuffle in a bunch of different players, disrupting the flow of the game.
But that all changed with the goal from Poulsen.