Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez has found his form at the right time for Mexico’s national soccer team and the wrong time for his U.S. counterparts.
Chicharito scored the opening goal for Mexico against the U.S. on Saturday in the CONCACAF Cup — a one-game playoff to determine the region’s representative in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.
He broke the deadlock just 10 minutes into the game by finishing a flowing move Raul Jimenez started with a back-heel and Oribe Peralata set up with a centering pass.
Goal MEX – No.14 @Ch14_ – MEX 1-0 USA #CONCACAFCup @miseleccionmx @ussoccer http://t.co/WGWvVh33oE
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) October 11, 2015
Chicharito is Mexico’s second all-time leading goal scorer, but this goal was his first against his country’s rival to the north.
Chicharito, 27, had lost his sharpness and confidence after spending years as a squad player with Manchester United and Real Madrid, but his summer transfer to German club Bayer Leverkusen has offered him the playing time he craves and a new lease on life in Europe.
A refreshed Chicharito punished the U.S. early on in the crunch contest, but Geoff Cameron tied the game five minutes later.
Mexico won the game 3-2 in extra time thanks to Paul Aguilar’s goal.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@UnivisionSports
