Wales 1-0 Mexico: Moore provides only goal to clinch a victory

Wales 1-0 Mexico: Kieffer Moore proves to be the difference as Wales clinch a victory at the Cardiff City Stadium

  • Wales beat Mexico 1-0 in their friendly on Saturday night thanks to Kieffer Moore
  • Moore’s goal came in the 11th minute of the game, with Wales sitting tight after 
  • Chris Gunter will not only celebrate the teams result but a personal landmark
  • Gunter has become the first Wales male player to win 100 caps for his country

A friendly in an empty stadium is not how footballers dream of making history but Chris Gunter could at least celebrate a victory as he became the first Wales male player to win 100 caps.

The defender captained a much-changed side in last night’s/Saturday’s friendly against Mexico and produced an assured performance as Rob Page’s men triumphed thanks to Kieffer Moore’s 11th-minute-goal – their only attempt on target.

The 31-year-old’s international career began in 2007 with a friendly against New Zealand and though his performances at club level have not matched their early promise, Gunter has never let his country down and can expect to be in the squad for some time yet.

Wales beat Mexico 1-0 in their friendly on Saturday night thanks to Kieffer Moore’s goal

Chris Gunter celebrated the win and becoming the first Wales male player to win 100 caps

‘I am living a dream,’ said Gunter, who plays for Charlton. ‘It’s very special to share the pitch with people I’ve played with for so many years. I don’t think there’s a happier man in the world right now.’

Page added: ‘He’s got 100 and there might be a few more to come. He gave a lovely speech to the players and it was quite emotional after the game.’

Bale was given a run-out for the final nine minutes but his real work will be against the Czechs

Wolves forward Raul Jimenez, who has not played since fracturing his skull, was in the stands

MATCH FACTS

Wales: Hennessey, Gunter, Cabango, Norrington-Davies, J Williams, Levitt, Smith, Lawrence 6, T Roberts, Matondo, Moore

Subs: C Roberts, Sheehan, N Williams, Johnson, Bale, Robson Kanu, Davies, King, Rodon, Cooper, Ampadu, Morrel

Mexico: Ochoa; Gallardo, Montes, Alvarez, Rodriguez; Salcedo, Herrera; Guardado, Lozano, Pineda; Corona

Subs: Orozco, Talavera, Romo, Dos Santos, Sanches, Pulido, Pizarro, Lainez, Gutierre

Referee: McNabb 

With one eye on Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic here, Page – who continues to take the team in the absence of Ryan Giggs – left skipper Gareth Bale and other key men out of the starting XI. Bale was given a brief run-out for the final nine minutes but his real work will come against the Czechs, who showed their mettle by drawing with group favourites Belgium last night/on Saturday.

Wolves forward Raul Jimenez, who has not played since fracturing his skull last November, was in the stands after training with Mexico this week.

Mexico could have won a penalty with barely a minute on the clock when Hirving Lozano was bundled over by Ben Cabango before Wales took the lead.

Tyler Roberts found Jonny Williams whose cross was turned in by Moore, who profited from poor defending to guide home from six yards.

Without Jimenez in attack, Mexico lacked punch. When Jesus Corona did find shooting space after snaking past Cabango, the Porto forward fired wide.

Hal Robson-Kanu had replaced Moore at half-time and should have done better when teed up by Roberts six yards.

At the other end, Wayne Hennessey made his first serious save in the 55th minute by denying Lozano with his feet. Mexico continued to dominate the ball and Corona squandered another chance in the final seconds of the game.

However, without Jimenez in their attack, Mexico lacked punch to their game




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