In Alkmaar, Mateo Chávez is attempting to turn a difficult international night into a lesson rather than a label. The Mexico defender has accepted responsibility for his dismissal against the United States, a red card that came during a 3-0 defeat in only the third match of Rafa Márquez’s tenure in charge.
A costly moment against the United States
Mexico’s heavy loss was shaped by a series of mistakes, with Chávez’s sending-off among the most damaging. Wearing number 20, the AZ Alkmaar player was dismissed after striking an opponent during the friendly, leaving his side with a further setback in the middle of the contest.
Reflecting on the match, Chávez offered an apology and said he understood the consequences of his actions.
- He conceded that he did not enter the game well in Mexico’s third outing under Márquez.
- He described the incident as an error that hurt him immediately.
- He said he had changed his mindset from the following day while still recognising what went wrong.
- Chávez insisted he had learned from the episode and does not intend to repeat it.
“The reality is that I made a mistake,” Chávez said. “It hurt a lot at the time, but from the next day I changed my mentality. I have learned from it.”
Back to club duty in Alkmaar
The defender’s attention now returns to AZ, where the Dutch club are looking to recover from a 2-0 Eredivisie defeat away to Feyenoord in Rotterdam. Ignacio Ferri Julià put Feyenoord ahead after 13 minutes, before Javier López Carballo added the second goal in the 59th minute.
AZ left Rotterdam without a point and face an immediate change of scenery, with European football next on the calendar. Chávez said he remains encouraged by the group around him in Alkmaar.
“Now I have to focus again on AZ,” he said. “We have a very good team, there is still a lot to give, and I am enjoying every day.”
Europa League trip ahead
AZ return to action on Thursday, 15 October, when Hapoel Be’er Sheva visit in Matchday 2 of the Europa League. Kick-off is scheduled for 10:45am Central Mexico time, as the Dutch side seek a response after their setback at Feyenoord.
- Competition: Europa League
- Matchday: 2
- Fixture: AZ Alkmaar vs Hapoel Be’er Sheva
- Date: Thursday, 15 October
- Kick-off: 10:45am Central Mexico time
