Fulham striker Raúl Jiménez scored twice as Mexico had to settle for a share of the spoils at the end of a thrilling friendly against Uzbekistan in Texas overnight.
Jimenez, who converted a penalty on his recall to the national side to spark a comeback against Australia at the weekend, poached his opening goal in the first half with a clever finish in the six-yard box from Roberto Alvarado’s cross and then punished a poor defensive header to lift a lovely finish over the goalkeeper to make it three goals in two outings during a successful return to the Mexican side.
The 32 year-old’s goalscoring exploits couldn’t prevent Mexico from registering a disappointing draw with Uzbekistan, who had taken a shock lead through Bobir Abdikholikov’s early header, making it 3-3 deep into stoppage time when Otabek Shukurov’s free-kick beat Guillermo Ochoa at his near post. Uriel Antuna thought he had secured victory with a predatory strike two minutes from time – but Mexico will have an opportunity to finish their whistlestop tour of the United States on a high note when they take on Ghana in North Carolina on Thursday.
