Jonathan dos Santos bags goal and assist as Mexico outlast Paraguay

El Tri continue to impress under new manager Geraldo “Tata” Martino as the Mexico National Team beat Paraguay 4-2 before a crowd of 50,317 Tuesday night at Santa Clara’s Levi’s Stadium.

The former Atlanta United maestro opted to insert Jonathan dos Santos into an advanced central midfield position, and it didn’t take long for the LA Galaxy midfielder to make his mark. In just the 4th minute, dos Santos took advantage of a erroneous clearance inside the box to smash home an acrobatic volley from close range.

Mexico doubled the lead soon afterwards off a Gustavo Gómez own goal, and in the 24th minute Jona played an inch-perfect square ball to Javier “Chicarito” Hernandez at the top of the 18 for the West Ham striker to slide a finish around keeper Antony Silva.

Paraguay pulled a goal back minutes after the second half introduction of Miguel Almiron through Hernán Pérez, but it was the Newcastle sensation and Atlanta United alum that would doom his team’s hopes with a needless red card. Surprisingly Derlis González found a second tally for Paraguay but Luis Montes sealed the win in stoppage time.