International media reacts to Edson Alvarez display as West Ham United ace plays for Mexico v Australia
West Ham midfielder Edson Alvarez was involved in a heated incident during the 2-2 draw between Mexico and Australia.
Alvarez was caught by a high boot from Mitch Duke in the entertaining friendly at AT&T Stadium in Texas in the early hours of Sunday morning (10 September).
The fiery midfielder, who played a full part in the match, locked heads with his opponent shortly before half-time.
As Australian website News.com.au put it, the contest was “anything but friendly”.
Marco Monteverde added in his review of the match [10 September]: “It was supposed to be a friendly game but there was nothing cordial about the exchange between Socceroos striker Mitch Duke and Mexico defender Edson Alvarez on the stroke of half-time.
“Alvarez, who plays his club football in the English Premier League for West Ham, took exception to the no-nonsense Duke raising his foot high when tackling him.”
Fox Sports outlined in their review of the match [10 September] that “tension rose” as a result of the coming together, which led to “the pair again butting heads as they matched off the field for half-time.”
As Jonathan Howcroft put it in The Guardian‘s live match blog [10 September]: “The West Ham midfielder was not happy at all with the challenge and leaned his head in Duke’s direction to remonstrate.”
Alvarez was used in a less familiar central-defensive position and put in a good shift overall, even if Mexico did concede a couple of goals.
Spanish outlet AS reported [10 September]: “There have not been too many impressive performances for Mexico so far, but Edson Alvarez has looked good in his less familiar role in the heart of defence.
“He’s looked calm on the ball and hasn’t let Australia catch them on the break.”
Versatile
Alvarez has played in central defence previously, and it is encouraging that he can slot into that area for West Ham should he be needed as the season goes on.
The 25-year-old is at his best when used as a protector for the back four, though, and that is where he will be used against Manchester City next Saturday [16 September] when the Hammers return to action.
That is if Alvarez returns from international duty in one piece, of course!
It sounds as though the former Club America player was his usual fiery self while representing Mexico, making a mockery of the fact this was merely a friendly on neutral – to an extent – soil.
Mexico face Uzbekistan in another friendly in the early hours of Wednesday, this time in Atlanta, so fingers crossed Alvarez comes through that one unscathed ready to fly back and face City.
In other West Ham news, an update has emerged regarding free agent Jesse Lingard.