Chicharito fires Mexico to victory
Published 23:05 19/06/11 By James Nursey
Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez backheeled the winner to send Mexico into the last four of the Gold Cup at the expense of Guatemala.
Mexico will now meet Honduras, who beat Costa Rica in the quarter-final after a shoot-out in the United States.
Guatemala took a surprise lead through Carlos Ruiz in the fifth minute, but Aldo de Nigris equalised three minutes after the break.
Hernandez claimed the winner after 66 minutes, flicking the ball in off his right heel after a low cross from right-winger Pablo Barrera.
It was ‘Sweet Pea’s’ sixth Gold Cup goal and Mexico coach Jose Manuel de la Torre said: “This team is very strong at the core. They know they can overcome any adversity. We knew that we could come back and we did.”
Hernandez is loving life at United after tasting league title success in his first season at Old Trafford.
The 23-year-old forward said: “I am very happy that, as a squad, we won the English title. This is a wonderful thing, especially after a title race so competitive.
“Chelsea, Arsenal and even Manchester City battled to the end, but we never doubted our strength.
“Our team has such soul and such spirit. Success is written into its DNA. I’m at the best club in the world.’’
