The Black Stars tested El Tri all match long – outshooting their opponent 19-8 – but fell to a controversial penalty.

Ghana opened the match with one of its best scoring chances in the first minute.

A through ball to forward Majeed Abdul Waris led to a point-blank shot on Mexican keeper Moises Munoz, who managed to get a hand on it.

Jesus Gallardo sprinted down the left wing and drew a foul just after entering the 18-yard box.

Midfielder Elias Hernandez took the ensuing penalty kick and buried the ball to the left corner of the net in the 32nd minute.

Frank Acheampong had Ghana’s best chance at finding an equalizer in the 78th minute when he found himself alone in the penalty area, one-on-one with Corona.

His left-foot shot, however, rang off the top-left post.

“Sometimes if it’s not your day, it’s not your day,” Appiah said.

“Considering the way we played, we could have had at least three or four goals easily. But unfortunately we could not finish.”