Canada v Mexico (2022 FIFA World Cup qualification)

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Canada 2–1 Mexico (2021)
Battle of the "Iceteca"
Event2022 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)
Canada
Mexico
2 1
DateNovember 16, 2021 (2021-11-16)
VenueCommonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, Alberta
RefereeMario Escobar (Guatemala)
Attendance44,212
WeatherSnow

The 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Canada and Mexico was an

Mexican men's national soccer teams during the third round of CONCACAF's 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification tournament. Canada's victory over Mexico ended Mexico's eleven match unbeaten streak against Canada dating back to August 15, 2000, and put Canada in first place of the qualifying group.[1][2] The temperature at kickoff was recorded as −9° Celsius, making it the coldest match ever played by the Mexico national team.[3]

Pre-match

Venue selection

Canada was scheduled to be the home team for the seventh and eighth fixtures of the qualifying group, and the

Edmonton, Alberta, a city renowned for very cold Prairie winters. This strategy was often used by both Canada and the United States to create a disadvantage for the Mexican team, as those players would not be used to playing under such frigid conditions.[4][5] These cold conditions caused Canadian fans and eventually Canada Soccer to nickname Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton as the "Iceteca" or "Estadio Iceteca" which was a play on words of the Estadio Azteca, Mexico's home stadium.[6][1]
Several fans would later refer to the match as the Battle of the "Iceteca".

Background

Canada and Mexico had faced each other twice before in 2021. Mexico was able to beat Canada 2–1 in the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-finals, defeating them with a winning goal in the 90+9th minute of the match scored by Héctor Herrera.[7] Mexico had also hosted Canada earlier in October for a World Cup qualifying match which ended in a 1–1 draw at the Estadio Azteca. Mexico were in second place of the group, tied with first place U.S. with fourteen points, while Canada trailed by one point in third place. Both teams had the opportunity to rise to the top of the group if they could come away with a win.

Table as of November 12, 2021
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  United States 7 4 2 1 11 4 +7 14 Qualification for 2022 FIFA World Cup
2  Mexico 7 4 2 1 10 5 +5 14
3  Canada 7 3 4 0 11 4 +7 13
4  Panama 7 3 2 2 9 8 +1 11 Advance to inter-confederation play-offs
5  Costa Rica 7 1 3 3 4 6 −2 6
6  Jamaica 7 1 3 3 5 9 −4 6
7  El Salvador 7 1 3 3 3 8 −5 6
8  Honduras 7 0 3 4 4 13 −9 3
Updated to match(es) played on November 12, 2021. Source: FIFA, CONCACAF
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Match

Summary

First half

The first half quickly became a hostile affair, with both sides carrying over the bitterness from the recent fixtures. A particularly hard challenge in the first couple minutes of play left Mexican forward Hirving Lozano down for several minutes as the foul count continued to grow. As tensions rose, both managers were cautioned after half an hour for complaints towards the referees and each other.[8] Canada were able to find the opening goal in first-half stoppage time after Cyle Larin was able to tap in a rebound after goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa mistakenly fumbled the ball from a long shot by Alistair Johnston.[9]

Second half

Seven minutes into the second half, Canada would double their lead when Mexico failed to defend a

Hector Herrera was able to head in a cross from the right and half the deficit. This was quickly followed by a skirmish in front of goal as Mexican players attempted to swipe the ball from goalkeeper Milan Borjan, whom had immediately pounced on the ball to delay the restart as the match entered stoppage time. With increased motivation to equalize, Mexico unleashed several promising attacks throughout additional time, most notably in the third additional minute when the Canadian defense failed to clear away a cross and gave away a shot from two yards out. However, Borjan was able to make a goal line save, prompting several protests from Mexican players who believed the ball was over the line.[11] Canada attempted to kill the last couple seconds of the game by holding the ball in the corner, causing an angered Néstor Araujo to recklessly shoulder charge Lucas Cavallini
from behind. The referee issued a yellow card for the challenge before ending the match.

Details

19:05 MT (UTC−07:00)
Canada 2–1 Mexico
  • Larin 45+2', 52'
 Report (FIFA)
Report (CONCACAF)
Attendance: 44,212
Canada
Mexico
GK 18 Milan Borjan
RB 2 Alistair Johnston
CB 15 Doneil Henry Yellow card 13'i downward-facing red arrow 37'
LB 4 Kamal Miller
RM 22 Richie Laryea
CM 13 Atiba Hutchinson (c)
CM 7 Stephen Eustáquio
LM 3 Sam Adekugbe
RW 11 Tajon Buchanan
CF 17 Cyle Larin downward-facing red arrow 72'
LW 19 Alphonso Davies downward-facing red arrow 88'
Substitutes:
GK 1 James Pantemis
GK 16 Maxime Crépeau
DF 5 Steven Vitória upward-facing green arrow 37'
DF 23 Derek Cornelius
MF 6 Samuel Piette
MF 8 David Wotherspoon
MF 10 Jonathan Osorio upward-facing green arrow 88'
MF 14 Mark-Anthony Kaye
FW 21 Liam Millar
FW 9 Lucas Cavallini upward-facing green arrow 88'
FW 12 Iké Ugbo
FW 20 Jonathan David upward-facing green arrow 72' downward-facing red arrow 88'
Manager:
England John Herdman Yellow card 32'
GK 13 Guillermo Ochoa (c)
RB 2 Néstor Araujo Yellow card 90+8'
CB 3 Julio Domínguez downward-facing red arrow 46'
LB 5 Johan Vásquez
RM 6 Jorge Sánchez
CM 4 Edson Álvarez downward-facing red arrow 74'
CM 16 Héctor Herrera
LM 23 Jesús Gallardo
RW 10 Orbelín Pineda downward-facing red arrow 59'
CF 9 Raúl Jiménez
LW 22 Hirving Lozano Yellow card 14'
Substitutes:
GK 1 Alfredo Talavera
GK 12 Rodolfo Cota
DF 15 Osvaldo Rodríguez
DF 7 Luis Romo
DF 21 Jesús Alberto Angulo
MF 8
Carlos Rodríguez
MF 14 Sebastián Córdova upward-facing green arrow 59'
MF 18 Andrés Guardado upward-facing green arrow 74'
MF 20 Roberto Alvarado
FW 11 Rogelio Funes Mori
FW 17 Jesús Manuel Corona upward-facing green arrow 46'
FW 19 Henry Martín
Manager:
Argentina Gerardo Martino Yellow card 32'

Assistant referees:
Caleb Wales
William Andrés Arrieta
Fourth official:
Benjamín Pineda

Statistics

Canada Mexico
Goals 2 1
Shots 8 12
Shots on target 4 6
Possession 41% 59%
Fouls 16 21
Yellow cards[a] 2 3
Red cards 0 0
  1. ^ Includes cautions for team officials

Post-match

Standings

Table as of November 16, 2021
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Canada 8 4 4 0 13 5 +8 16 Qualification for 2022 FIFA World Cup
2  United States 8 4 3 1 12 5 +7 15
3  Mexico 8 4 2 2 11 7 +4 14
4  Panama 8 4 2 2 11 9 +2 14 Advance to inter-confederation play-offs
5  Costa Rica 8 2 3 3 6 7 −1 9
6  Jamaica 8 1 4 3 6 10 −4 7
7  El Salvador 8 1 3 4 4 10 −6 6
8  Honduras 8 0 3 5 5 15 −10 3
Updated to match(es) played on November 16, 2021. Source: FIFA, CONCACAF
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Reactions

Canada's three points from the match would cause them to surpass the United States and take first place, a position that they would maintain for the rest of the tournament. In Canada, this match was seen by many as a turning point for Canadian soccer and the men's national team, whose normal reputation of being an underdog team in international competition with little prestige or potential, were now being proclaimed as the 'Kings of CONCACAF.'[12] A staggering forty-four thousand fans turned up in sub-zero temperatures to watch the match, which in Edmonton was the national team's third highest attendance record, only sitting below the forty-eight thousand who showed for the match against Costa Rica four days earlier, and the fifty-two thousand people who attended a friendly against Brazil in 1994. Canada would eventually qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1986. Despite the loss, Mexico would eventually reach second place and qualify as well for the seventeenth time in their history.

2022 World Cup

Despite their successful qualifying campaign, Canada was only able to qualify for Pot 4 of the World Cup draw, and were placed in a challenging group with Belgium (the 2nd ranked country in the world), as well as Croatia and Morocco who would both eventually reach the semi-finals. Mexico despite qualifying for Pot 2 were also matched with difficult opposition in Poland, the eventual World Cup champions Argentina, and Saudi Arabia.

Canada were able to shock the world in their fourth ever World Cup match by putting up an incredible fight against Belgium, but were unable to find their first points at the World Cup due to a missed penalty-kick and poor finishing in an eventual 1–0 loss.[13] Despite being praised by the international press, and the Belgian coaching staff,[14] Canada would be defeated by Croatia and Morocco, and exited their second World Cup with two goals and no points.

Mexico's run was relatively unsuccessful as well. They managed to hold Poland to a 0–0 draw thanks to a penalty-save from Ochoa,[15] however, their 2–0 loss to Argentina put them in a difficult position on the final matchday.[16] Despite coming away with a win against Saudi Arabia, a 90+5th minute consolation goal for the Saudi Arabia national team eliminated Mexico on goal differential.[17]

 Canada Round  Mexico
Opponent Result Group stage Opponent Result
 Belgium 0–1 Match 1  Poland 0–0
 Croatia 1–4 Match 2  Argentina 0–2
 Morocco 1–2 Match 3  Saudi Arabia 2–1
Group F 4th place
Pos Team
 Pld Pts
1  Morocco 3 7
2  Croatia 3 5
3  Belgium 3 4
4  Canada 3 0
Source: FIFA
 Final standings Group C 3rd place
Pos Team
 Pld Pts
1  Argentina 3 6
2  Poland 3 4
3  Mexico 3 4
4  Saudi Arabia 3 3
Source: FIFA

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Armstrong, Laura (November 17, 2021). "'It was a bit of a tactical battle.' How Canada upset Mexico and climbed to the top in World Cup qualifying". Toronto Star. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  2. ^ "Canada national football team: record v Mexico". 11v11.com. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
  3. ^ "Sources: Canada loss Mexico's coldest on record". ESPN.com. November 17, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  4. ^ Sandor, Steven (November 16, 2021). "Home field advantage? Cold, snow await Canada and Mexico in Edmonton soccer match". cbc.ca. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  5. ^ Moore, David (November 12, 2021). "The USMNT Should Use Some Real Home-Field Advantage Against Mexico And Play In North Dakota". the18.com. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  6. ^ Galindo, Peter (November 16, 2021). "'Welcome to the Iceteca': Canada ready for frigid World Cup qualifier". sportsnet.ca. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  7. ^ "FINAL ROUND - SEMI-FINAL | SEMI-FINAL 2". concacaf.com. March 11, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  8. ^ Sandor, Steven (November 16, 2021). "Canada beats Mexico 2-1, securing key win in quest for World Cup berth". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  9. ^ Singh, Michael (November 19, 2021). "Recap: Canada 2, Mexico 1". mlssoccer.com. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  10. ^ Sandor, Steven (November 16, 2021). "Canada beats Mexico 2-1, securing key win in quest for World Cup berth". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  11. ^ Morassutti, David (November 17, 2021). "'Snowbank Celly': Following Canada's win over Mexico, party starts at Iceteca". sportsnet.ca. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  12. ^ Kloke, Joshua (November 16, 2021). "Canada stuns Mexico 2-1 on a frigid night in Edmonton in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying". The Atlantic. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  13. ^ "Belgium run ragged by Canada but Michy Batshuayi strikes to grab victory". The Guardian. November 23, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  14. ^ "World Cup 2022 – Belgium 1–0 Canada: Michy Batshuayi fires Red Devils to opening win". Sky Sports. July 20, 2023.
  15. ^ "Mexico vs Poland final score, result: Memo Ochoa extends Robert Lewandowski's World Cup frustration". sportingnews.com.
  16. ^ "Lionel Messi, Enzo Fernandez keep Argentina's World Cup hopes alive with win over Mexico". ESPN.
  17. ^ "Mexico beat Saudi Arabia 2–1 but are eliminated from World Cup 2022". The Athletic.
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