Canada and Mexico play to chippy, scoreless draw in Texas, as teams commit 41 total fouls

Canada and Mexico played to a scoreless draw Tuesday in a men's soccer game that was a friendly in name only.

Mexico, ranked 17th in the world, played a physical game from the start, bundling over the 40th-ranked Canadians at will. But while there were far more fouls (43 in total, with Mexico called for 24) than scoring chances, each goalkeeper had to make a highlight-reel save to keep a clean sheet.

American referee Victor Rivas, the 2023 MLS Referee of the Year, was kept busy. He handed out seven yellow cards, four to Mexico and three to Canada — and could have shown more.

"It's a compliment to the progress that we've made as a team that a team like Mexico comes into this match and that's their strategy," said Canada coach Jesse Marsch.

Canada was coming off a 2-1 weekend win over the 16th-ranked U.S. in Kansas City, marking its first victory over the Americans on U.S. soil since 1957.

"Overall I think we've taken another pretty big step forward in our development," said Marsch.

WATCH | Canada, Mexico settle for scoreless draw in physical friendly contest:

Not many were on hand to see Tuesday's drab affair. Attendance was announced at 32,623 at the 80,000-capacity AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.

Mexico outshot Canada 10-5 (3-1 in shots on target) and had 52 per cent possession. But while Canada looked to play the ball up the pitch, Mexico — unsuccessfully — opted for the long ball in a blunt instrument approach to attack for much of the game.

Tempers flared in the 18th minute when Bournemouth defender Julian Araujo was yellow-carded after catching Canada captain Alphonso Davies with a studs-up challenge. Cesar Huerta followed Araujo into the book in the 26th minute.

Mexico was called for 13 fouls in the first half, compared to six for Canada. Both teams had three shots on goal, with one of those on target in the first 45 minutes.

The first chance for either side came in the 43rd minute with Mexican goalkeeper Luis Malagon making an outstanding one-handed diving save to stop a Cyle Larin header off an Ali Ahmed cross. Seconds later Canadian 'keeper Dayne St. Clair had little problem handling a looping Huerta shot, Mexico's first on target.

Canada had 57 per cent possession in the first half — and showed a lot of self-control in the face of Mexican aggression.

WATCH | Canada earns long-awaited victory against Americans on U.S. soil: