Mexico held World Cup title candidate Portugal to a 0-0 draw in the reopening of the Estadio Azteca, now called Estadio Banorte. Mexico faced a much better squad at home but played a solid tactical defensive style to stop Portugal from scoring even when the visiting side was the better team. Mexico continued their undefeated streak in 2026 but will face as tough a test on Tuesday when they face off against Belgium in Chicago. Portugal will also travel to the United States to face off against the home side in Atlanta.
The 1st half started with Mexico surprising by coming out with Brian Gutierrez from the start as well as Obed Vargas. A bad back pass from Mexico almost turned into a goal but Mexico’s goalkeeper, Raul Rangel, was able to clear the ball before it got to Gonzalo Ramos. A cross into the area found a wide open Joao Felix, who got off a lobbed shot that went just wide. Off a counter, Fidalgo got into the area on a possible 1 vs 1 but a great run from Samu Costa allowed him to reach and clear the ball off him. A shot from Bruno Fernandes would fall to Ramos, who got off a right footed shot from close range that hit the post in by far the clearest chance of the match. Off a counter, Vargas would get off a right footed shot from outside the area that went wide. A great pass from Fernandes would find Ramos in the area but he whiffed on his left footed shot in a bad miss. From outside the area, Israel Reyes got off a left footed shot that forced Portugal’s goalkeeper, Rui Silva, to make a save. A cross into the area would be just out of reach or Ramos, who would have had a close range chance had he connected with it. A left footed shot from outside the area from Costa would force a save from Rangel. From outside the area, Gutierrez got off a right footed shot that went wide. The halftime whistle blew as Portugal had the clearer opportunities but Mexico had held their own defensively to keep the score tied.
The 2nd half started with Mexico subbing out Brian Gutierrez and Obed Vargas for Julian Quiñones and Carlos Rodriguez. Portugal subbed out Matheus Nunes, Samu Costa, Francisco Conceicao, Joao Felix, Nuno Mendes, Antonio Silva and Ruben Neves for Pedro Neto, Tomas Araujo, Diogo Dalot, Joao Cancelo, Vitinha, Gonzalo Guedes and Joao Neves. A left footed shot from outside the area from Fernandes would go wide. A bad back pass from Rodriguez would give Portugal a chance but a sliding tackle from Johan Vasquez would save Mexico by clearing the ball. After a foul, there was a scuffle between Neto and Jesus Gallardo that earned a Yellow card to each player. Roberto Alvarado got off a left footed shot from outside the area that went wide. Off a free kick, the cross into the area would find a wide open Renato Veiga, who headed the ball wide. Mexico subbed out Raul Jimenez, Alvaro Fidalgo and Roberto Alvarado for German Berterame, Erick Sanchez and Richard Ledezma. Portugal subbed out Gonzalo Ramos for Paulinho. A good cross into the area was just out of reach of Paulinho. Mexico subbed out Erik Lira and Jesus Gallardo for Armando Gonzalez and Everardo Lopez. A great thru pass turned dangerous when Silva crashed the ball into Gonalez but the ball went wide. A great combination play ended with a great cross from Quiñones that found a wide open Gonzalez, who headed the ball wide in a bad miss. Portugal subbed out Bruno Fernandes for Trincao. After getting into the area, Neto got off a right footed shot that was saved by Rangel. The final whistle blew and although fans booed at the end, it was a great result for Mexico, who had held a World Cup title candidate to a scoreless draw.
Mexico got an important result when they got a 0-0 tie against a Portugal side that will favorites to win it all in the World Cup. Against a much better squad, Mexico had the right defensive plan to stop Portugal and although they were lucky that there were some key misses by Ramos, overall the tie was a deserved result. While Aguirre’s side continues to suffer up top, they had the right idea in the match and showed a good defensive level, which will be key for Mexico going forward. It was also incredible that there were booed at the end and that there was criticism from people that don’t know how much better Portugal’s squad is than Mexico, especially as Mexico has exported a lot less players to European football and thus had less caliber players in the squad that in previous meetings. Mexico will now travel to Chicago where they will have possibly a tougher test in Belgium. While Portugal has a better squad than Belgium, they will not suffer from the Mexico City altitude in Chicago. More importantly they will have the huge boost from their Saturday match where they crushed the United States by a 5-2 score. Mexico will need to continue being as defensive squad and it might not be enough to keep their 2026 undefeated record. Portugal will also travel north to face the United States, where they hope no to be surprised by a home side that needs to bounce back after their disastrous match against Belgium.
