Giovani dos Santos marked his international return with a goal as Mexico claimed a 2-1 win over New Zealand in a friendly on Saturday. Featuring for the national team for the first time since July 2015, Dos Santos opened the scoring at Nissan Stadium from the penalty spot.
But the LA Galaxy attacker's effort was cancelled out by Marco Rojas early in the second half in Nashville, Tennessee. Marco Fabian ensured victory for Juan Carlos Osorio's Mexico, who had crushed the Kiwis 9-3 on aggregate in its 2014 World Cup qualifying play-off.
Fresh from winning the OFC Nations Cup, New Zealand's defeat was its first since March 2015. Jordan Silva, Hedgardo Marin and Jesus Gallardo all started for Mexico, who were without Javier Hernandez, as they were handed their international debuts.
Dos Santos saw an early long-range effort fly wide of the target as Mexico dominated possession, but he would open the scoring in the 29th minute. Hirving Lozano was brought down in the area and Dos Santos stepped up to convert the spot-kick.
Kosta Barbarouses thought he had levelled for New Zealand soon after, but he was correctly ruled offside. But Anthony Hudson's men would equalise to start the second half as Melbourne Victory attacker Rojas got on the end of a Deklan Wynne cross to make it 1-1.
Mexico regained the lead in the 56th minute, however, as a fine passing move led to Oribe Peralta setting up Fabian for his first international goal since 2014. That would prove to be the winner for Mexico, who next face Panama in a friendly on Tuesday while New Zealand take on the United States on the same day.
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