USA 1 Mexico 2: Rafa Marquez tells Mexicans to forget Donald Trump after helping down US
Visitors grabbed bragging rights after president-elect Trump has described illegal Mexican immigrants as 'criminals'
RAFA MARQUEZ says his last-gasp Mexico winner was one in the eye for 'intolerant' Donald Trump.
The 37-year-old skipper glanced home in the 89th-minute to stun the hosts at the end of a feisty affair in their opening World Cup qualifier.
President-elect Trump has described illegal Mexican immigrants in the US as "criminals" and said he wants to build a wall along the US-Mexico border.
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And former Barcelona defender Marquez admitted that the 2-1 victory tasted even sweeter after four straight defeats in Columbus since 2001.
Marquez said: "Maybe now they have a bad time, a time of intolerance and with this win maybe they can forget now a little bit what happened here in the US.
"It was a long time that we haven't had a good game here.
"We are very happy and this is very important for us.
"It was the best opportunity to change the story here and tonight was what we had hoped for in the last couple of days."
Marquez - who has skippered his team in the last four World Cups - was hailed by his coach after netting the winner in his 134th appearance for his country.
Juan Carlos Osorio said: "Rafael has a love for the game like no-one else. He always trains as hard as he can, considering his age, he wants to play in all the games.
"Today, I think football, the game itself, rewarded him and I am very pleased for him, very, very happy for him."
Mexico took the lead through Miguel Layun's 20th-minute strike before the US drew level through striker Bobby Wood just after half-time.
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And after going down to Marquez's goal in their first game of the Concacaf qualifiers, US boss Jurgen Klinsmann said he did not want to fall behind in the six-team group, in which the top three qualify automatically.
The German said: "It confirmed what we all thought before the game - it will be a nail-biter, it will be a very intense, hard-fought game and that is how it turned out.
"The message is very simple - we have to go down there and get a result, which we will do.
"It is a long road over ten games. It is not a problem, but obviously it is disappointing without a doubt.
"It gives a sense of anger in us, a sense of urgency. We don't want to be behind.
"All these qualifying games are difficult but if we play the way we played in the second half, I am not worried."