Mexico 2 Ghana 1

Mexico came from behind with a storming second-half performance, capped by an 88th-minute Pavel Pardo penalty, to beat Ghana, 2-1.

Playing in London at Fulham’s Craven Cottage, Mexico looked eager for the match from the opening whistle. Off the kickoff, they nearly created a goal after Antonio de Nigris’s low cross from the right corner was redirected on goal by Manchester City’s Nery Castillo. Goalkeeper Richard Kingston did well to block the shot with his legs.

El Tri’s frenetic attacking continued until the 18th minute, when Black Stars defender John Pantsil sliced down Deportivo youngster Andres Guardado. Soon thereafter, as the game became more physical, Ghana began to take over the game in the midfield.

First, Anthony Annan whistled a long-range effort just over the bar in the 26th minute. A minute later, Junior Agogo was released behind the defense by Sulley Muntari. But the Nottingham Forest striker pulled his left-footed shot wide of the target.

Just before the half, a clever flick from Fernando Arce unlocked the Ghanaian defense, sending Castillo in alone. He rounded the keeper, kept his balance and fired a left-footed shot at goal. But Ghana captain John Mensah slid at the near post to keep the game scoreless.

After the break, the game was crying for a goal. It came nine minutes in. A poor Mexican clearance found its way to Michael Essien’s feet with room to run at the defense. He unleashed a shot from 30 yards out that got through a mess of defenders and strikers, bounced twice, and ricocheted in off the left post.

The goal upped the pressure on Mexico coach Hugo Sanchez, whose job was possibly going to be determined by the result of this match. His team turned it up a notch.

In the 73rd minute, Carlos Salcido got el Tri on level terms after a dreadful mistake by Ghanaian substitute goalkeeper Patrick Antwi. Antwi’s heavy touch on a backpass fell right to Salcido who easily slammed the ball home.

This set up the dramatic finish. After a poor clearance, the ball bounced to Chiapas striker Adolfo Bautista, who a touch into the area and was dragged down by Mensah. Pardo stepped up and netted his eighth international goal.

Ghana now move on to World Cup qualifiers starting in two months, while Mexico is due to play China on April 6. The win may have stayed Sanchez’s execution, but with World Cup qualification around the corner, there are lingering doubts about his leadership.

MEX: Oswaldo Sanchez, Ricardo Mendoza Osorio, Carlos Salcido, Aaron Galindo, Fausto Manuel Rosas Pinto (Jaime Lozano, 66), Gerardo Torrado, Pavel Pardo, Andres Guardado, Fernando Arce, Antonio De Nigris (Guillermo Franco, 46), Nery Castillo (Adolfo Bautista, 78)

GHA: Richard Kingson (Patrick Antwi, 66), Eric Addo, John Mensah, John Pantsil, Michael Essien, Haminu Draman (Andre Ayew, 46), Laryea Kingston (Owusu-Abeyie Quincy, 46), Anthony Annan, Assul Harrison, Junior Agogo (Erik Bekoe, 82), Sulley Muntar