Mexico defeated Ghana 2-0 in a friendly match in Puebla on Friday, offering a glimpse of the excitement building ahead of the World Cup. The match was played at Cuauhtemoc Stadium, which was filled with an electric atmosphere despite some empty sections due to FIFA sanctions.

Brian Gutierrez opened the scoring in the second minute with a curling shot from the edge of the box. The early goal set the tone for the match, as Mexico dominated possession and created several chances.

Teenage sensation Gil Mora hit the post in the first half, while Alexis Vega had a header ruled out for offside. Mexico coach Javier Aguirre praised Mora's performance, calling him a "different player" and highlighting his bravery and directness.

Ghana, coached by assistants in the absence of recently appointed Carlos Queiroz, threatened an equalizer early in the second half, forcing saves from the Mexican goalkeeper and hitting the crossbar. However, substitute Guillermo Martinez doubled Mexico's lead in the 54th minute with a counterattack finish.

Aguirre used the friendly to evaluate players for the final World Cup squad, with Europe-based players Luis Chavez, Edson Alvarez, and Jorge Sanchez making second-half appearances. The coach acknowledged the difficulty of selecting the final team, saying it's the most complex part of his job.

Source: www.aljazeera.com