It was a big week for the Mexican players based in Portugal. Unfortunately for the majority of those players, they weren't able to get a full match in.
Sometimes that's been because of a coach's decision for the four El Tri players at Porto, but this week it was something different that kept them from getting 90 minutes in. Porto's match with Estoril was suspended at halftime after cracks emerged in the stadium itself. Hector Herrera, Diego Reyes and Miguel Layun had started the game with Layun playing in the midfield as Porto's fullbacks spots continue to be locked down by Alex Telles and Maxi Pereira. Herrera wore the captain's armband. Jesus "Tecatito" Corona was on the bench.
Layun has been the subject of winter transfer rumors after seeing very limited minutes in Portugal, but this was his second consecutive start after taking part in Porto's 2-1 victory over Moreirense in the Taca de Portugal.
Benfica was able to play its whole match against Braga, and Raul Jimenez came on and scored an excellent goal that sealed the 3-1 victory. Jimenez's first league goal landed him on the cover of O Jogo and excited himself as well, if his Twitter posts are any guide. The forward posted video of the goal and also a pair of photos of himself celebrating. Like Layun, Jimenez is seeing only sporadic playing times and reports emerged this month that Club America had attempted to bring Jimenez back to Mexico City only for Benfica to turn down the offer.
In Spain, it was another typical performance for Andres Guardado, who helped Real Betis to a 3-2 win over Leganes. Guardado has played every minute of Betis' two games so far in 2018.
Check out the video above to see the full rundown of how Mexican players are performing at the beginning of the year. Next week, Hirving Lozano and PSV return to action after the winter break while Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez seeks more time with West Ham United.
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