Carlos Vela welcomed his return to the Mexican National Team with two stunning strikes in a 3-2 win over the Netherlands on Wednesday.
Playing alongside strike partner Javier Hernandez, Vela needed only eight minutes to get Mexico on the board, rifling a left-footed shot from 23 yards out that left Dutch goalkeeper Tim Krul with no chance. It was Vela’s first match in three years for El Tri, a self-imposed hiatus that had him looking fresher than ever.
His hold up play, vision and ability to find the seam on passes to teammates made Vela a menace the entire night and after Wesley Sneijder’s long-range blast evened things up just after halftime, Vela came to the rescue again in the 62nd. As substitute Jesus Corona drove down the pitch he found Vela with a perfectly weighted pass for the Sociedad striker to hard and low.
The Dutch enjoyed the lion’s share of shots and possession but for all their offensive persistence they were left exposed in the back and in the 69th minute Andres Guardado sprung Chicharito, who rounded Krul and finished easily.
In the 74th minute Daley Blind brought Holland back within one but El Tri’s defense held up to see out all three points, the perfect way to commemorate the impressive return of Vela.