COLUMBUS, Ohio — Mexico exorcised 15 years of Dos A Cero agony in Columbus and beat the U.S. 2-1 in Friday’s World Cup qualifier at Mapfre Stadium. The winning goal came in the 89th minute from 37-year-old Mexico captain Rafa Márquez, a longtime goat in this series who became the hero with a wide-open header off a corner kick.
The loss in the first game of the Hexagonal was the last thing the U.S. needed as it now heads to Costa Rica on Tuesday to face an opponent it has never beaten on the road.
Miguel Layún gave Mexico the lead with his 20th-minute goal.