February 23 – Mexico dispatched Dominican Republic 8-0 in the second round of Group A games to put behind their failure to score against Argentina well and truly behind them, and warm them up for what will be a big night at the Dignity Health Stadium on Monday against the USA.
Mexico had disappointed in their opener against Argentina, starting well but after failing to take a procession of chances allowed Argentina into the game. They weren’t going to be so generous again.
With six first half goals and 20 shots on the Dominican goal, against just one on theirs, it was a ruthless demolition.
The Dominican Republic had taken everything the USA had to throw at them in their first round match and looked to have restricted the former world ranked number 1 team to just three goals before VAR intervened at the end to help with US out without a couple more.
But it was a gritty performance by Dominican Republic who sacrificed any sense of forward adventure for a packed and combative defensive unit.
Against Mexico they didn’t have that same defensive resolve and paid for it.
Mexico’s Pedro Lopez made four changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Argentina. Most notably making a double change up front, bringing in Diana Ordonez to lead the front line alongside Kiana Palacios.
Dominican Republic’s Henry Parra made four changes, the most notable being to start Jazmin Jackson ahead of Mia Asenjo as the lone striker.
Mexico controlled the possession from the start and after 12 minutes were ahead. Nicolette Hernandez, pushing on from left back fired from the edge of box. Paloma Pena let the ball bobble through her. It was an unfortunate error and a soft way to go behind.
Two minutes later they were two down. Maria Sanchez drove in to the box on the left and hit the ball across to Jacqueline Orvalle who fired into the roof of the net. It was a relief for Orvalle to get on the scoresheet after the chances she missed against Argentina.
Mexico were repeatedly exposing Dominican Republic’s left flank who were helpless to find a way to shut it down.
A chip from Alexia Delgado from just outside the box found Karen Luna who had rounded her defender to head over Pena – 3-0.
Mexico were attacking in waves.
On 25’ a Mexican cross from the right hit Stella Tapia’s arm. The referee pointed to spot and Orvalle scored her second of the night – 4-0.
Against the US the Dominican Republic sat deep and rode out the onslaught, against Mexico they were trying to play a bit higher up the pitch. They almost pulled one back. Kathryn Gonzalez, through from midfield, and with Mexico keeper Esthefanny Barreras off her line, lofted her shot from distance over Barreras but agonisingly wide of the post.
Mexico had long shots of their own, hitting the post and bar on 34 and 36 minutes.
Just before half time Mexico had a fifth. A corner from Ovalle found Mexican captain Rebeca Bernal free to head over a rooted Pena.
In added time at the end of the half there was still time for Mexico to add a sixth. Ovalle drove to byline on the right and crossed to Ordonez who headed home.
Mexico had ruthlessly exploited the spaces left by Dominican Republic and built a goal advantage that could prove useful for qualification and seeding into the quarter finals.
The second half continued much of the same pattern though Dominican Republic creditably didn’t stop trying to play football of their own, but couldn’t find the penetration to significantly threaten Mexico’s defense.
Mexico added two more before the final whistle.
On 70’ a ball came loose to Jasmin Casarez on the right side who fired through Pena’s legs – 7-0.
As the match entered added time they added an eighth. Scarlett Camberos on the left at the top of the box was given too much space to fire her shot past an outstretched Pena diving to her left.
Mexico’s focus is now the might of the USA and a tilt at the region’s perennial top dog. Dominican Republic have two days to refocus and find more self belief and energy before what will be another tough outing, this time against Argentina.
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