Mexico have been held to a goalless draw by 10-man Guatemala in their Group C clash at the CONCACAF Gold Cup in Glendale.
Guatemala should have taken the lead in the eighth minute when they hit Miguel Herrera's team on the counter-attack. Carlos Ruiz chipped the ball into the path of Minor Lopez, who lifted it over Guillermo Ochoa, but his effort went wide of the post.
Herrera's men hit back with a chance of their own as Andres Guardado teed up Jonathan dos Santos outside the box, who fired a powerful drive at goal, but Paulo Motta made the save.
Guardado should have handed his side in the lead in the 34th minute when Oribe Peralta lifted the ball to the back post for the run of the midfielder, but he could only strike his shot straight into the body of Motta.
In the second half, Mexico struggled to get into a rhythm as they were pressed with aggression by Ivan Sopegno's men whenever they moved into their half of the field.
El Tri were presented with a golden chance to move ahead in the 75th minute when Hector Herrera nodded Guardado's cross into the path of Peralta, but the forward scuffed his strike straight at Motta.
Guatemala were reduced to 10 men when Jose Contreras was shown a second yellow card for a poor challenge Paul Aguilar to give the Mexicans hope of stealing the win.
Mexico pressed in the final minutes of the game and Peralta came within inches of handing his side the win when he curled an effort towards goal, only to see the ball crash off the crossbar and bounce clear.
Herrera's men made a late surge to claim the win, but Guatemala held out for the point.
Simon Sinclair
USA
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