Back to the Soccer Newsfeed

Mexico vs. El Salvador: Score and Reaction from 2018 World Cup Qualifier

Mexico showed El Salvador why it's a top-25 team in the world on Friday night.

Controlling possession for 78 percent of the match, Mexico got goals from Andres Guardado, Hector Herrera and Carlos Vela as it shut out El Salvador 3-0 and getting off on the right foot in its World Cup qualifying campaign.

Mexico controlled the pace from the get-go, even though the score didn't reflect it. The first goal came early—at the seven-minute mark—when Guardado sailed a free kick right into the net for a 1-0 lead.

ESPN FC Mexico's Tom Marshall shared his thoughts on Guardado's beautiful finish:

Andres Guardado: There is enormous hunger for what happened in last World Cup qualifying not to happen again.