If there's one criticism which cannot be levelled at Ireland's defeat to Mexico in New Jersey, it's that it was a meaningless friendly. Martin O'Neill experimented, but it failed.
Ireland started with a 3-5-2 formation which saw Daryl Horgan and Callum O'Dowda play in the middle.
The Mexicans, who were a far superior team to Ireland on the night, easily exposed the holes in Ireland's newly adopted tactics, finishing the game as 3-1 winners.
Ireland vs Mexico highlights
Porto winger Jesús Corona gave Mexico the lead in the 16th minute. Ireland had started brightly, especially down the right through Cyrus Christie, but were caught out badly on the counter attack from their own corner.
It was, to be fair, a superbly taken goal by Corona.
16: GOAL!
Mexico 1-0 @FAIreland.
Lightning counter-attack from Mexico and Corona with a fabulous finish! #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/65D4ibcQ53— eirSport (@eirSport) June 2, 2017
Less than 10 minutes later, it was 2-0 to Mexico, this time from the penalty spot. After a long ball over the top left Ireland's three central defenders exposed, James McClean stepped in from his position at wing-back as Carlos Vela took control of the ball. The referee awarded a penalty for a push on Vela's back by McClean.
Raúl Jiménez dispatched the penalty.
25: GOAL!
Mexico 2-0 Ireland.
Jimenez doubles Mexico's lead after James McClean gave away a penalty. pic.twitter.com/JzQjLHUKEi— eirSport (@eirSport) June 2, 2017
With under 10 minutes gone after the break, Vela made it 3-0 to Mexico.
54: GOAL!
Mexico 3-0 Ireland.
Carlos Vela taps in a third for Mexico. #MEXIRL pic.twitter.com/0U28vU4bGv— eirSport (@eirSport) June 2, 2017
Martin O'Neill reverted to a more conventional formation late in the game as a raft of substitutes entered the game for Ireland. One of those was Birmingham midfielder Stephen Glesson.
The 28-year-old grabbed a goal to put some respectability on the scoreboard for Ireland.
76: GOAL!
Mexico 3-1 @FAIreland! (Gleeson).
Lovely finish from @gleeson_stephen just minutes after coming on! #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/q0y1fGsLcF— eirSport (@eirSport) June 2, 2017
