This was a Mexico side with only two assured starters Javier Hernandez and Hector Herrera in Russia. And that showed at times against a Wales side that is starting to adapt to Ryan Giggs and began the game in a 4-4-1-1 formation.
Mexico had the better chances, and Wales without Gareth Bale managed only one shot at Jesus Corona’s goal. But El Tri couldn’t find a way through, with goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey outstanding.
Putting the disappointing result to one side, there were two real priorities for Mexico and coach Juan Carlos Osorio. The first was coming through the game without any injuries. And that happened. The past couple of weeks have seen Nestor Araujo leave the squad due to a knee injury, Andres Guardado have surgery and Diego Reyes come into camp with a problem that has kept him from training with the rest of the squad. The last thing Mexico needed was more problems in that regard.
The second issue was which players would be cut from the current 27-player squad to trim it to 23 players to fly out to Europe on June 3.
In that regard, Hugo Ayala was a winner. The Tigres center-back played the full 90 minutes and grew into the game as the leader of Mexico’s defense. With Araujo missing, the easiest option Osorio has is for Ayala to slot in, and the 31-year-old didn’t do his chances any harm.
Fringe players Jesus Molina, Edson Alvarez and Oswaldo Alanis all had solid games, although Jurgen Damm will have wanted to do more with the 45 minutes he was on the pitch in the second half.
There was also good news for Giovani dos Santos, who failed to convert a difficult late chance but was able to complete 20 minutes, just three days after playing 15 minutes for LA Galaxy. His fitness will be one of the main issues in cutting the squad down, but this was a positive for his chances of making the team.
In the end, this was a game that won’t live long in the memory but allowed Osorio to experiment and see those who are on the outside. Against Scotland (June 2) and especially against Denmark (June 9), the real preparation for Russia 2018 will begin.