World Cup: Injuries overshadow Mexico win over Ecuador

Mexico beat Ecuador 3-1 in a friendly in Dallas on Saturday (Sunday, PHL time) but the win was overshadowed by a suspected broken leg for midfielder Luis Montes which will rule him out of the World Cup.

Ecuador also has a potential serious injury from the same incident with midfielder Segundo Castillo taken off with a suspected knee injury.

Just two minutes after the livewire Montes had put Mexico ahead, he and Castillo slid into a 50-50 challenge and it was quickly apparent the Mexican had suffered a serious injury.

Montes was carried off on a stretcher and taken to a nearby hospital with a Mexican Football Federation spokesman saying he had suffered a suspected broken tibia and fibula.

Some Mexican players were in tears after watching Montes writhe in agony while he was receiving treatment on the field and that was not the end of El Tri's injury torment.

Mexico coach Miguel Herrera will also be concerned about a foot injury suffered by captain and central defender Rafa Marquez who was also sent to hospital for further examination.

Away from the injuries, the game, played in front of 84,876 fans at the home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, showed again that Mexico have found their mojo again under Herrera.

After a poor qualifying campaign, El Tri is now unbeaten in eight games under Herrera including Wednesday's (Thursday, PHL time) 3-0 win over Israel that began their warm-ups for Brazil.

Mexico led 1-0 at the break thanks to Montes' superb left foot drive from 25 yards and they had played some entertaining football prior to his injury.

Ecuador though twice came close to equalizers in the second half - Fidel Martinez had a goal disallowed following a goalmouth scramble in the 62nd and a minute later a Joao Rojas effort was cleared off line by Mexico defender Paul Aguilar.

But a spectacular blast from 30 yards from Marco Fabian doubled Mexico's lead in the 69th minute, the midfielder finding some space before unleashing a fierce drive.

Seven minutes later the game was put beyond Ecuador when Giovani dos Santos shot against the post and the ball rebounded into the net off the back of Ecuador keeper Maximo Banguera.

Ecuador, whose defense had looked shaky throughout, did restore a little pride with a low free kick from Enner Valencia which skidded through a crowded penalty area.

At the tournament starting on June 12, Mexico will face Cameroon, Brazil and Croatia in Group A while Ecuador are in Group E with Switzerland, France and Honduras. - Reuters