Crossword Genius

A Mexico neighbour, a month back, shot at meal (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

guatemala

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'a mexico neighbour' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.

'a month back shot at meal' is the wordplay.
'a month' becomes 'aug' (abbreviation for August).
'back' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'shot' is an anagram indicator.
'aug' in reverse letter order is 'gua'.
'at'+'meal'='atmeal'
'atmeal' is an anagram of 'temala'.
'gua'+'temala'='GUATEMALA'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for guatemala that I've seen before include "country south of the USA" , "Central American country" , "Spanish-speaking country in Central America" , "Central American state" , "Latin American place" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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