No side likes to begin their path to a World Cup with bad news. One small injury, one miscue, or even one public airing of grievances could spell doom to a side’s psyche or chances. While Mexico has thankfully avoided that third bad omen thus far Tuesday night at A T &T stadium gave them a double dose of the other two. With 70,000 in attendance and 7.1 million at home Mexico lost 1-0 to Croatia to kick-start their World Cup preparation.
While the loss itself and the circumstances around the goal, an Ivan Rakitic penalty strike in the 62nd minute, will likely leave El Tri fans wanting a little better defensive work in their final third they will likely be more concerned with the injuries to defenders Nestor Araujo and Carlos Salcedo. Araujo was taken off in the 16th after attempting to make a tackle deep inside the Mexican defensive third. He was taken off of the field with a tear in his left meniscus. He has already had surgery and according to his club side Santos Laguna should be able to return at some point during the Clausura, which runs until May the 20th.
As for Salcedo the former Real Salt Lake defender currently on loan with Eintracht Frankfurt from Chivas de Guadalajara broke his clavicle after falling during Tuesday night’s friendly. Since it was a third distal fracture in his left shoulder it required surgery. No timetable has been given by either the Mexican FA or by Frankfurt as to his return.
On hand to cover the match was Prost Amerika photographer Ziro Castellanos. You can check out some of his work below.
El Tri
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