ARLINGTON, Texas - In a battle of two 2018 FIFA World Cup teams, Mexico narrowly fell 1-0 to Croatia on Tuesday night an in international friendly at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic converted a penalty in the 66' following Miguel Layun's foul on Tin Jedvaj on the edge of the Mexican penalty area.
Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa was at his best on Tuesday, making a number of fine saves in the first 45 minutes to keep things scoreless at half-time.
El Tricolor came out strong to start the second half and had chances through Carlos Vela and Javier Hernandez.
The Los Angeles FC man blazed a shot over the crossbar, while the West Ham United FW forced a save out of Croatia stopper Lovre Kalinic.
After Rakitic's score, Mexico sought an equalizer but were unable to find a way past Kalinic, completing Mexico's final friendly before Head Coach Juan Carlos Osorio names his 23-man roster for this summer's World Cup in Russia after next Mexico matches against Wales on May 28 in Southern California and Scotland on June 2 in Mexico City.
