Mexico's match against Colombia is the start of the Rafa Marquez era as the El Tri legend takes the reins of the national team.
It might be the Rafa Marquez era, but it's the Gilberto Mora era as well.
The 17-year-old, who already helped Mexico win the 2025 Gold Cup and saw minutes at the 2026 World Cup, scored his first El Tri goal to equalize the teams' contest at one goal each.
The goal was enough to get the fans at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, off their feet. Mora used his first touch to send a ball from left back Jesus Gallardo into space, then sent Colombia center back Jhon Lucumí flying by with a chop-back. From there, Mora took another trio of touches before sending the ball between Lucumí and his center-back partner Davinson
Sánchez and past goalkeeper Álvaro Montero.
🚨 ¡VÍSTETE, GILBERTO MORA! 😍🇲🇽 ¡GOLAZO DE MÉXICO! 🇲🇽🔥 ¡GOLAZO DE MORITA! 🔥😍 ¡GOLAZO DEL #10 DE LA SELECCIÓN! 🔟🇲🇽🔥#LaEraDeRafa pic.twitter.com/Q9jQbjFrmg
— TUDN MEX (@TUDNMEX) September 27, 2026
It's Mora's first goal in 14 appearances for the Mexico senior national team.
With veterans attackers like Toluca's Alexis Vega omitted from the squad, Mora was given the iconic No. 10 shirt for this camp, making good on the responsibility by providing the first goal of the Marquez era.
The Club Tijuana player made way shortly after, with Marquez making four changes at the 64th minute. While many Mexico fans are eager about not only Mora but other young prospects coming through the pipeline, Marquez named a more experienced roster than expected. Jesus Gallardo, a 32-year-old fullback, and winger Hirving Lozano are among Marquez's 2018 World Cup teammates who earned a starting nod against the Cafeteros.
But Mora, his former U-20 roommate Obed Vargas and left back Mateo Chavez are among the future talents who saw minutes in Marquez's debut.
Mexico also will face Peru, the United States and Chile in the September-October international window.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mexico teenager Gilberto Mora scores his first El Tri goal
