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It was an improved performance from Team Canada against Mexico in World Cup 2018 Qualifying action on Tuesday night, but the Canadians still found themselves on the wrong side of the score sheet, falling 2-0 in Mexico City. It was the second loss to Mexico in less than a week for Team Canada, following their 3-0 defeat on home soil on Friday night.
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Canada seemed to have some early jump, earning a corner in the second minute, and then again in the 14th minute, but Mexico was able to clear both chances. The Mexicans would open the scoring in the 17th minute, after Canadian defender Doneil Henry was given a penalty for a challenge on Marco Fabian. Andres Guardado took the ensuing penalty for Mexico, making no mistake in putting his side up 1-0 early.
The Canadians nearly escaped the half just down a goal, but Mexico scored a back breaker in the dying minutes. With Canadian Goalkeeper Milan Borjan off with a hand injury and Kenny Stamatopolous in for him, Jesus Corona danced around a Canadian defender with a beautiful spin move before slamming his shot in the net to make it 2-0. It certainly hurt to watch if you're a Canadian fan, but there's no denying the skill in that marker.
While the Mexicans were held at bay in the second half, the Canadians couldn't mount much of an attack either, falling 2-0 when the final whistle blew.
The loss extends Canada's futility at Azteca Stadium, as they are 0-6-1 since 1972. Mexico is undefeated through four matches and sit with 12 points, while Canada drops to third with the loss, with 4 points. That's the same as Honduras, who sit in second due to goal differential. Honduras and Canada will square off in September in 2016 in further qualifying action.