Wales

2.97

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Jason Brown

  The Aberdeen stopper made an early save from Dos Santos as the Mexicans pressed in front of a partisan crowd. He made a good save at his near post in the 19th minute after De Nigris’ strike was deflected towards the bottom corner but there was nothing he could do about De Nigris’ opening goal. However he improved in the second half and made a fantastic save in the 54th minute from Dos Santos, diving to his right to save at point blank range. He was given no chance by the second goal as De Nigris drifted away from his markers to head home.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Adam Matthews

  He had a tough time against Andrade when he switched wings and by the overlapping Salcido, he wasn’t helped by the winger in front of him giving the ball away on a couple of occasions but he handled the pressure well. He was replaced by Ricketts after 60 minutes after slipping on the pitch and twisting his leg.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Ashley Williams

  The Swansea centre half was strong against the powerful De Nigris and was able to read the game well to deny the darting runs of Dos Santos. He marshalled the defence well and used his experience to lead the back line well.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Chris Gunter

  Although normally a full back for his club Gunter slotted in at centre half for this game alongside Williams, and he worked hard to keep De Nigris and Dos Santos at bay. However he was nowhere for Mexico’s opening goal, allowing De Nigris to drift away from him and power a header into the back of the net.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Neil Taylor

  He had a good game against Andrade and made the winger switch wings with Barrera to try and find more space. In fact it was Barrera who caused Taylor the most problems with his close ball control and tricky runs. He was replaced by Richards in the 80th minute.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Aaron Ramsey

  The Welsh captain looked to control things for his side in the middle of the pitch and tried to cause Zavala problems with forward runs from midfield, but he struggled to have much of an influence on the game.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  David Edwards

  The Wolves man sat in front of the back four and helped protect them against the dangerous runs of Dos Santos and Perez from deeper positions. He was replaced by King in the second half after getting through plenty of running.

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  Hal Robson-Kanu

  The reading man gave possession away too cheaply in the opening half and put his side in trouble but he was lucky the chances were not taken. Nearly made up for his mistakes in the 25th minute but couldn’t direct his header on goal from a right wing cross. He was replaced by Vokes just before the hour mark.

• 
  1

  0

  3.00

  Joe Allen

  Very busy in the centre of midfield, keen to get on the ball and to keep possession for the Welsh. He worked his socks off for his side for the whole game and always looked to keep things simple for his side.

• 
  1

  0

  3.00

  Craig Bellamy

  He struggled in the heat but when he had the ball at his feet his output was good, but lacked accuracy. He had a chance to get his side level in the 66th minute as he was played into a fantastic position by Vokes, hitting the forward’s cross first time but fired over from 12 yards.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Steve Morison

  Ploughed a lone furrow at times which frustrated the striker but when he was joined by Robson-Kanu and Bellamy, chances did come his way. After an excellent run from Bellamy midway through the first half the Norwich striker’s control let him down and a sight of goal faded. He was replaced by Church after 60 minutes.

Substitutions

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Sam Ricketts

  Came on in the 60th minute to replace Matthews and was solid against the Mexican wide men.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Ashley Richards

  Came on late in the game to make his international debut in place of club mate Taylor.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Andy King

  Replaced Edwards and worked hard to get his side on the ball whenever he could.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Simon Church

  He replaced Morison in the 60th minute and kept running at the Mexico defence but was unable to get a sight of goal.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Sam Vokes

  He came on in the 60th minute for Robson-Kanu and delivered a superb ball into the path of Bellamy immediately which wasn’t converted. His introduction gave Wales something different up front and he caused problems but was still not able to get a shot on goal.

Mexico

3.23

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  J. Corona

  He didn’t have much to do in the first half although he needed to be alert with a few of Wales’ chances, but the Cruz Azul stopper was not forced into a save at all.

• 
  1

  0

  3.00

  Héctor Moreno

  The central defender worked well alongside Rodriguez as they kept Morison very quiet and also picked up the forward runs of Bellamy and Robson-Kanu.

• 
  1

  0

  3.50

  Rodríguez

  He stuck very close to Morison but that was an easy task as the striker was left isolated at times. The 30 year old, who plays for Stuttgart, had much more to deal with after the introduction of Vokes but he still had an easy game.

• 
  0

  0

  3.50

  S. Meza

  The 25 year old full back was making his debut for Mexico and he had a strong game against Bellamy and Robson-Kanu as the Welsh wingers switched in an attempt to cause problems. He nearly had a dream debut but his shot in the 52nd minute was straight at Brown who saved well.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  C. Salcido

  The former Fulham full back had a tough time against Bellamy when he drifted to the right hand side, the winger giving Salcido plenty to worry about and his pace often enabled him to get away but his final ball was not able to be converted. Going forward Salcido was very good, he robbed Robson-Kanu on a couple of occasions and set his side going in dangerous positions.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Edgar Bismark Andrade

  The winger had a solid game in only his fourth start and his running with the ball caused Matthews problems when he switched to the left side. He did miss a good chance in the 18th minute, his right footed shot going well over Brown’s crossbar from a tight angle.

• 
  0

  0

  3.50

  J. Zavala

  Having his club mate Perez alongside him must have helped the central midfielder, he played a little deeper of the two in a holding role in the middle of the pitch and that stifled the runs of Ramsey from the Welsh side. He was replaced by Zavala in the 64th minute after a strong challenge with Sam Ricketts.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  L. Pérez

  He had a good battle against Allen and Edwards in the centre of the pitch and adapted to the conditions well to control the majority of the game. The midfielder continued to control much of the game but was replaced by Torres Nilo in the 71st minute.

• 
  4

  0

  4.00

  A. De Nigris

  The Monterrey striker was a constant pain to the Welsh back line with his constant movement, and he got his reward just before half time as he nodded in his seventh goal for his country. The forward drifted away from Chris Gunter and met a right wing cross at the back post and powered his header past Brown. He showed excellent movement again late on as he escaped his markers to head home his, and Mexico's, second goal.

• 
  0

  0

  3.50

  Pablo Edson Barrera

  He hasn’t played much for West Ham this season but the winger was in fine form against Wales’ two full backs. He showed good control and an eagerness to run at defenders, this caused plenty of problems and on another day he could have created further goals for De Nigris. He was replaced in the 75th minute by Marquez after injuring his hamstring in an attempt on goal.

• 
  3

  0

  3.50

  Giovani dos Santos

  Another Mexican player who hasn’t played much for his English side this season but he looked full of running and keen to get at Gunter whenever he could. He missed a couple of chances in the first half that could have made things much easier for his side, but on both occasions his shots were lacking in accuracy. He was replaced by Reyna in the 71st minute.

Substitutions

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Jorge Emmanuel Torres

  Replaced Perez in the 71st minute and was hard working in the centre of the pitch.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Rafa Márquez

  The experienced international replaced Barrera with 15 minutes to go and gave his side a calming influence which help guide them to the victory.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Á. Reyna

  Replaced Dos Santos in the 71st minute and threatened on numerous occasions, but he was unable to test Brown in the Wales goal.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  J. Molina

  The 24 year old replaced Zavala in the 64th minute and battled well with the Welsh midfield.