By DAN KARELL

Much of the good-will that had built up for Mexico after an impressive win at the Netherlands has evaporated.

The Mexican National Team blew a one-goal lead on two occasions in a surprising 3-2 defeat to Belarus in Borisov Arena in Borisov. Raul Jimenez was the lone bright spot for El Tri, scoring a brace, with both Dos Santos brothers providing assists.

El Tri head coach Miguel Herrera opted to make a ten changes to his starting lineup, choosing to bring on young midfielders Jesus “Tecatito” Corona, Arturo Gonzalez, Alfredo Talavera in goal, and Jimenez up top. After a scoreless first half, Jimenez opened the scoring just two minutes into the second stanza.

Jonathan Dos Santos, after running into a wall of Belarus defenders, backtracked and found Jimenez along the edge of the box. Dos Santos chipped a ball over the top that Jimenez controlled with his chest before scoring with the outside of his right foot.

Three minutes later, Belarus drew level. Sergey Kislyak was taken down in the box, leading to a penalty kick in the 50th minute. Igor Stasevic’s penalty kick shot was saved by Talavera on to the post, but the rebound fell right to Kislyak who finished the play.

In the 53rd minute, Mexico again took the lead through Jimenez, this time taking a feed from Giovani Dos Santos in the box before scoring. But two minutes after, Belarus leveled again, as Nikolay Signevich re-directed a bullet cross in for a goal.

Despite the introductions of Carlos Vela, Javier Hernandez, and Andres Guardado in the second half, El Tri found themselves trailing in the 81st minute when Pavel Nekhajchik beat the offside trap and volleyed home a deflected strike to make it 3-2 to the home side.

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What do you think of Mexico’s defeat? Surprised that El Tri made so many lineup changes? Do you think that they should have beaten Belarus anyway?

Share your thoughts below.