Mexico and Germany: a rematch in the FIFA Confederations Cup
Mexico and Germany will determine the second finalist of the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in a semifinal match that reminds us of the one their U-17 teams played in the 2011 World Cup held in Mexico, precisely in the same knockout round.
Of the 28 players who stepped on the field at the TSM that day, only the German Emre Can could take the field at the Fisht Arena in Sochi, while on the Mexican side, all the protagonists of that team coached by Raul Gutierrez, got lost in their clubs.
Very few elements managed to establish themselves in the first division, and only one has debuted with the senior national team.
Check out what has happened to the 14 players who brought joy to the country at the expense of Germany on July 7, 2011.
Richard Sanchez
The starting goalkeeper of that World Cup champion team belongs to Tigres UANL, but is currently loaned to Tampico Madero of the Ascenso MX.
Francisco Flores
The homegrown defender of Cruz Azul was part of the victory against Germany at the TSM; he currently plays in the Ascenso MX with Potros de Hierro del Atlante.
Carlos Guzman
After the World Cup, Carlos has had a long journey in Mexican soccer, playing for clubs such as Morelia, Toros Neza, San Luis, Puebla, Leon, and Xolos.
Antonio Briseno
The captain of that team has had a significant journey in the lower categories of the national team, although he has not yet debuted with the senior team. In clubs, he debuted with Atlas, then went to Tigres, Juarez, and Veracruz.
Jorge Caballero
The defender has spent his entire professional career with Monterrey, where he has not had much playing time since his Liga MX debut in 2014, accumulating only two games in the top division.
Kevin Escamilla
He has only played for Pumas UNAM, the club that trained and debuted him in the Clausura 2015. He participated in the team that won the silver medal at the recent Pan American Games in Canada.
Jonathan Espericueta
He was one of the best players of the World Cup champion team. He scored an Olympic goal in the match against Germany in the semifinals. His career in Mexico has not been as successful, as after a brief spell in Villarreal's youth teams, his team Tigres, under Ricardo Ferretti, practically does not consider him for the first team.
Julio Gomez
His header added drama to the match against Germany in 2011, especially when he scored the winning goal with a spectacular bicycle kick. He set a style and became the star player of that national team; today he is trying to revive his career with Club Atletico Zacatepec in the Ascenso MX.
Carlos Fierro
He was a key player in the attack of that team coached by Raul Gutierrez. In the Apertura 2017, he became a Liga MX champion with Chivas, and also won a Copa trophy with Chivas and Queretaro. Although he has represented Mexico in various categories, he is still waiting to debut with the senior national team.
Arturo Gonzalez
After his participation in the 2011 World Cup, he became the gem of the Atlas academy, with whom he debuted and made a good impression on the field. He was transferred to Monterrey, where he is fighting for a starting position. He is also waiting for an opportunity with Osorio's national team.
Marco Bueno
He is the only player from that match against Germany who has already made his debut with the Mexican senior national team, doing so in a friendly match against the United States in 2015. His career in the top division has gone through clubs like Leon, Pachuca, Tecos, Toluca, Chivas, and Monterrey.
Giovani Casillas
Giovani's story has taken a radical turn since the match against Germany and the subsequent World Cup win. He went from having a promising future with Chivas, where he even scored a goal against Barcelona in a friendly match, to playing in the Ascenso MX. He is currently part of Reboceros de la Piedad in the Second Division.
Jose Tostado
The former Chivas academy player could not shine in the rojiblanco team. He has played for several lower division clubs such as Cachorros de la UANL, Correcaminos, Murcielagos, and Irapuato.
Marcelo Gracia
The Rayados academy player made his Liga MX debut with the Monterrey club in the Apertura 2013, accumulating 132 minutes and failing to convince. He was transferred to the team's affiliates before being traded to Coyotes de Tlaxcala, with whom he secured promotion to the Ascenso MX in the past Apertura 2017.