HOUSTON – Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez scored twice as Mexico overcame a second-half deficit and, playing a man down for the final 63 minutes, drew with Nigeria 2-2 Friday night in an international friendly.
Hernandez now has 32 goals, good for fifth all-time on the Mexican national team, in 47 matches.
Hernandez tied it at 2 in the 70th minute, getting a cross from Angel Reyna from the left side and tapping it inside the far post off the side of his right foot.
He was subbed out in the 73rd minute for Raul Jimenez to a standing ovation from the mainly pro-Mexican crowd of 62,107 at Reliant Stadium.
Hernardez gave Mexico a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute, taking a cross from Pablo Barrera from the right box and sending a low line drive inside the near post from 9 yards.
Aide Brown Ideye converted a penalty kick inside the near post, freezing Mexico goalkeeper Jesus Corona to tie it in the 29th minute.
Nigeria earned the penalty kick in the 27th minute after Barrera was called for a hand ball inside the goalkeeper's box. Barrera was issued a straight red card and ejected. On the play, John Ugochukwu had the initial shot from outside the left 6-yard box stopped by Corona, but the rebound by Brown Ideye was stopped by Barrera's hand.
Nigeria capitalized on being a man up, taking the lead in the 40th minute as Ugochukwu's shot from outside the right box was deflected by Mexico's Diego Reyes and into the goal.
Gerardo Flores had his header from the far post saved by Nigeria keeper Austin Ejide in the 62nd minute to keep Nigeria ahead.
Nnamdi Oduamadi had his shot from the right box bounce off the crossbar in the 63rd minute.
Mexico controlled most of the first 30 minutes of the game before Barrera was sent off.
Hernandez missed putting Mexico ahead in the ninth minute, sending a shot from inside the right 6-yard box off the crossbar after getting a cross from Barrera from outside the box.
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