Mexico edged Canada 41–34 in overtime in front of 8,500 fans at Estadio Wilfrido Massieu in an international friendly played between the two Americas nations.
Mexico took an early lead with a 36-yard Abel García Rosado touchdown pass to Axel Montini and Alfredo Gachuz tagged on the extra point.
Canada quarterback Chris Merchant replied by finding James Basylaga for a 55-yard score and Adam Preocanin tied the game with the point after.
Merchant earned Canada a 13-7 first quarter lead as he hit Rysen John from 20 yards, but the PAT was blocked. Mexico responded with García Rosado’s 11-yard touchdown run and a booming 54-yard field goal from Alfredo Gachuz Lozada to take a 17–13 lead into halftime.
The game swung again after the break when Canada switched quarterbacks. Michael O’Connor connected with Jaylan Greaves for a 75-yard touchdown just 14 seconds into the second half, briefly flipping the momentum before Mexico steadied itself. Lozada added a 42-yard field goal, and Fernando Mayen Marin powered in from three yards to restore a 27–20 edge.
Mexico extended its lead early in the fourth as Iker Ayala hit Hector Alexis Rodríguez Ruiz for a 44-yard touchdown to open a 14-point lead at 34–20. Canada found its trademark late-game bite as Merchant answered with a short touchdown to offensive lineman Phil Grohovac, then O’Connor, who threw for 212 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, engineered the equalizer in an effective one-minute drill.
With 54 seconds left, starting at his own 33-yard mark with no timeouts remaining, O'Connor twice hit Greaves, who headlined Canada’s receiving corps with 10 catches for 242 yards and a touchdown, to push into Mexico territory. He then found Rysen John on an 18-yard reception to get to the edge of the red zone. A nine-yard pass to Cordell Hastings with 11 seconds remaining set up a thrilling finish and as time expired, the pair connected on a 15-yard touchdown to tie the game 34–34 and force overtime.
In the extra period, Mexico claimed victory on the ground. Iker Ayala scored on an 11-yard run, and Lozada’s PAT sealed a 41–34 win.
Photo: FMFA
