Mexicans Abroad: FutMexNation here to bring you a recap about our favorite extranjeros abroad and what you might have missed out on this weekend.
Copa Del Rey (La Liga)
Andres Guardado and Diego Lainez are the new Copa Del Rey champions! With this victory, Real Betis has now achieved their third Copa Del Rey championship and their first one in 17 years (they last won this competition back in the 2004/05 season). After 90 minutes at 1-1 and an added 30 minutes of extra time, the deadlock remained, forcing the teams to go to penalties where Real Betis would win it by a score of 5-4. While the game itself was a celebration, the playing time for our Mexicans Abroad was limited. Diego Lainez watched from the stands after not being selected for the roster while Andres Guardado entered in the 102nd minute for William Carvalho. Despite the only 18 minutes played, Guardado would have himself a really productive game. He completed three long passes, won three duels, and had a clearance along with 18 precise passes and a 90% passing accuracy. Most importantly, Guardado converted his shot during the shootout. Guardado now has five trophies in his European career and the first for Lainez.
Other Notable Mexicans Abroad:
Levante 2 – 3 Sevilla ( ‘Tecatito’ Corona continued his hot streak as this week he would be on the scoring end as he notched himself a brace in his team’s victory.” Corona would play the full 90 minutes for his club where besides the brace he had 75% passing accuracy along with winning three duels and also having a key pass.
Celta de Vigo 0 – 2 Getafe ( Both Nestor Araujo and Orbelin Pineda would see action in their team’s defeat. Nestor played the full 90 minutes and had three clearances and interceptions, won eight duels and had a key pass along with four long passes and a 93% passing accuracy. Meanwhile Orbelin would only play 8 minutes and nine precise passes, eleven touches and a shot off target.)
Atlético de Madrid 0 – 0 Granada ( Hector Herrera did not play)
NEC 0 – 1 Ajax ( Ajax would rebound after losing last week to PSV in the KNVB Cup and grabbed a late win. Edson Alvarez entered in the 93 minute)
Cambuur 1 – 2 PSV ( Erick ‘Guti’ Gutierrez played the full 90 minutes in his team’s victory. With this victory the battle for the Eredivisie continues as they find themselves four points behind league leaders Ajax.)
Burnley 1 -0 Wolves (Raul Jimenez returned to action with Wolves after serving his suspension and played the full 90 minutes in his team’s defeat. He would have two key passes, along with a 73% passing accuracy, completed three passes and won six duels. With this loss they sit in eighth place and are five points away from European Football. )
Empoli 3 -2 Napoli ( Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano played 68 minutes in his team’s defeat. He would be substituted for Piotr Zielinski. However Chucky would have an incredible game including an assist. He would also have five key passes, complete three crosses, complete five dribbles, and won eleven duels. Due to this loss Napoli is now five points behind league leaders AC Milan and their chances of a title are very slim.)
Genoa 1 – 0 Cagliari (Johan Vasquez played the full 90 minutes in his team’s crucial victory against a direct relegation opponent. Johan played a critical role in the victory as he had three clearances and won seven duels, all of this done while playing as a leftback! With this victory they are 3 points away from exiting the relegation zone!)
Gent 0- 1 Genk ( Gerardo Arteaga played the full 90 minutes in his team’s victory.)