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Japan Beat Mexico on Penalties to Advance to 2019 Toulon Tournament Final
June 12, 2019
Japan made it to the 2019 Toulon Tournament final after a 5-4 win on penalties against Mexico on Wednesday.
The game ended 2-2 at full-time, triggering a penalty shootout.
Alan Mozo's missed spot-kick for Mexico was the difference, allowing the Japanese to advance.
Recap
There was late drama at the Stade de Lattre de Tassigny in Aubagne, France, with Japan and Mexico duelling in the final minutes.
A goalless first half underpinned a tight affair, but both teams found the back of the net after the interval.
Jose de Jesus Godinez got Mexico off to the perfect start in the second half, with the striker opening the scoring after 50 minutes.
A 72nd-minute equaliser by Yuki Soma galvanised Japan, but Eduardo Aguirre's goal with four minutes remaining appeared to have given Mexico a path to the final.
However, Koki Ogawa scored a second equaliser with just a minute to play, forcing the match to penalties.
The teams were successful with successive penalties until Mexico's fourth effort, which Moza hit against the woodwork.
Japan will play Brazil in the final on June 15.