'Stumbling' Hong Myung-bo's toughest World Cup opponent, Mexico, struggled against Australia → 'Corner kick winner' 1-0 narrow victory "Spirit was good, but..."

*This content was translated by AI.

Hong Myung-bo's 2026 FIFA North American World Cup group stage opponents are showing alarming form. Mexico, a co-host of the World Cup, secured a narrow victory in a friendly match against Australia after a somewhat disappointing performance.

The Mexican national team, led by coach Javier Aguirre, defeated Australia 1-0 in a friendly match held in Pasadena, USA, on the 31st (Korea time).

Mexico, which had previously defeated Ghana 2-0 on the 23rd, continued its unbeaten streak with this win, recording five victories and two draws in seven A-match games played this year. With key players who play in Europe unable to join, Mexico had faced Ghana primarily with young players, but today they included some starters and began preparations for the actual tournament in earnest.

However, the atmosphere in Mexico is expressing deep disappointment regarding the match against Australia. Mexican media outlet 'Soi Football' pointed out, "The players' spirit and passion left a deep impression, but the lack of finishing ability remains a task that the coaching staff must resolve."

Failing to score a field goal despite dominating the flow and settling for a one-goal margin is a point that coach Aguirre must address before the tournament.

Today, Mexico fielded a balanced mix of starters and substitutes in the starting lineup. Guillermo Martinez (Pumas) was deployed as the leading striker, while Alexis Vega (Cholula) and Obelin Pineda (AEK Athens) were positioned on the second line wings to provide support.

In midfield, Luis Chavez (Dynamo Moscow), Luis Romo (Chivas), and Alvaro Pidalgo (Real Betis) worked in harmony. The defensive line was built by Mateo Chavez (Alkmaar), Johan Vasquez (Genoa), Edson Alvarez (Fenerbahce), and Jorge Sanchez (PAOK), while goalkeeper Raul Rangel (Chivas) guarded the goal.

In the match against Australia, Mexico scored the opening and winning goal in the first half. In the 28th minute of the first half, Vasquez, a defender positioned in front of the goal, finished off a cross from Vega with a high header, shaking Australia's net.

Mexican media outlet 'Soi Football' highlighted the winning goal scene in its report after the match ended. The outlet stated, "They perfectly exploited the moment when the Australian defense was completely immobilized during a set-piece situation," positively evaluating Mexico's organic set-piece tactics and the team's concentration. Indeed, even after scoring the opening goal, Mexico repeatedly threatened Australia with set-piece opportunities, aiming for additional goals.

However, in the second half, Mexico struggled against Australia's relentless attacks. Coach Aguirre conducted various tactical experiments by substituting in veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa (Limassol) and Santiago Gimenez (AC Milan), among others. In the 31st minute of the second half, they opened Australia's goal once more, but the goal was not recognized because the referee ruled that the attack was launched while the referee was adjusting the defensive wall's position. The match ended with a one-goal victory for Mexico.

After finishing the match against Australia, Mexico will return to its home country to play a final pre-World Cup friendly against Serbia in Toluca on the 5th of next month.

Thereafter, Mexico will face South Africa in the first group stage match of the World Cup on the 12th, and South Korea's national football team in the second match on the 19th. The A-group schedule will conclude with a final match against the Czech Republic on the 25th.

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*This content was translated by AI.