LOS ANGELES – A sentiment echoing a fatalistic political observation attributed to Porfirio Díaz – “Poor Mexico… so far from God and so close to the United States” – feels increasingly apt for the Mexican national football team. The 0-0 draw against Portugal at the Estadio Azteca, whereas a symbolic return to a renovated national stadium, reveals a stark truth: Mexico is nearing the 2026 World Cup, yet feels distant from truly competitive football.
The grand reopening of the Estadio Azteca was a spectacle – packed, vibrant and roaring with the fervent devotion of Mexican fans. However, even amidst this electric atmosphere, the Selección Mexicana couldn’t inspire genuine hope. The team struggled to translate the passion of the crowd into tangible progress on the pitch.
The scoreless draw wasn’t for lack of opportunity on Portugal’s side, who appeared at times to be playing with a degree of condescension, missing at least five clear chances to score, one striking the post. Mexico’s best opportunity fell to Armando González, but his attempt lacked the clinical finishing he often displays for his club, Chivas.
Portugal, maintaining full physical strength throughout the match, largely controlled the tempo, only ceding possession to Mexico briefly at the start and end of the game. During those late moments, Julián Quiñones and González attempted to break through, but their efforts felt driven more by desperation than strategic design, a reflection of Javier Aguirre’s conservative approach.
The reality is stark: Mexico remains distant from a clear tactical identity. They are close to the World Cup, but far from presenting themselves as genuine contenders. The risk of becoming perennial underachievers on the world stage looms large.
Beyond the on-field performance, questions continue to swirl around Aguirre’s leadership. His current strategy appears to prioritize defensive solidity above all else, relying on moments of individual brilliance or sheer luck to generate goals. As it stands, Mexico’s offensive capabilities sense more reliant on divine intervention than the prowess of Raúl Jiménez and other forwards.
A shift in approach may be necessary. Aguirre’s continued reliance on players like the “Piojo” Alvarado, whose decision-making often hinders both himself and the team, is questionable. The development of players like Brian Gutiérrez and the integration of Marcel Ruiz, when he returns, could offer more dynamic options. Similarly, Alexis Vega, upon his return, needs to be more impactful than he has been for Toluca.
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¿El Tri deja dudas ante Portugal en la reapertura del Azteca?
La mesa de Futbol Picante analiza el 0-0 entre México y Portugal en el renovado Estadio Azteca.
However, these are numerous assumptions. Mexico’s next challenge comes against Belgium, a team of comparable quality to Portugal, perhaps with more physical presence and less finesse. Belgium, even playing below their full potential, convincingly defeated the United States, exposing the weaknesses in Mauricio Pochettino’s squad.
A separate issue arose with the actions of the FMF and FIFA. The display of “#ElGrito” during the match, directed at FIFA President Gianni Infantino, was a blatant disregard for protocol. While presented as a friendly, the match served as a crucial test run for the 2026 World Cup, and the incident reflects poorly on the organization. The broader context of Infantino’s position, facing challenges to his authority within FIFA, adds another layer to the situation.
Mexico will face Belgium on [Date to be confirmed – check official schedules], providing another critical opportunity to assess their progress. The team’s performance will be closely scrutinized as they continue their preparations for the World Cup. Fans and analysts alike will be looking for signs of improvement in tactical flexibility and offensive creativity.
The road to 2026 remains challenging for El Tri. Addressing these fundamental issues will be crucial if Mexico hopes to move beyond the role of perennial underachiever and truly compete on the world stage.
