Mexico wrapped up their last FIFA window this month but instead of leaving wonderful sensations, they left more questions than answers. They finished the first half of the year with two trophies, Nations
League and Gold Cup, but the last half ended without a single win. With seven months left until the World Cup, Mexico looks like they might crash out in the group stage of the tournament.
Mexico started the year with their annual friendly in January. Due to their camp being held outside of an official FIFA window only Liga MX players were called-up. Mexico ended up facing two South American clubs, Internacional and River Plate. In their first match-up against Internacional they stunned the Brazilian team as they won 2-0. With all the confidence in the world, Javier Aguirre and Mexico traveled to Argentina where they were defeated 0-2. Their first matches of the year ended in a 1-1 record and while some fans were alarmed there was no reason for it. Mexico faced South American clubs and got a taste of difficult competition, which they hadn’t in a while. Those kinds of tests were what Mexico needed 18 months out before the World Cup.
The first official FIFA window opened up in March as Mexico would play in the Concacaf Nations League. Since the competition’s inception, Mexico had failed to win a title as the USA had dominated every iteration thus far. Raul Jimenez had made his return to the national team after his form had dipped and many hoped he would come through for Mexico in a competition they had yet to win. Jimenez delivered as he scored two goals in the semifinal against Canada and scored another brace in the final against Panama to win their first ever Nations League trophy. This trophy gave Mexico fans hope as the Gold Cup approached and the World Cup 15 months away.
The June FIFA window approached with a pair of friendlies against European teams. They faced Switzerland and Turkey and this was a big test Mexico needed. The first game against the Swiss was a disappointment as they lost 2-4. Against Turkey, Aguirre decided to make big changes as he changed 10/11 players in the lineup. These changes paid off as Mexico won 1-0. It wasn’t the score line people expected but they secured the win and turned things around compared to the match against Switzerland. This positive result was what Mexico needed before the start of the Gold Cup.
Mexico opened the Gold Cup against the Dominican Republic where they won 3-2 but it was not a convincing win. Their next match against Suriname ended in a 2-0 win. While Mexico kept a clean sheet, there were still apparent issues. These issues became prominent during their final group stage match against Costa Rica. This match ended in a 0-0 draw where the team was criticized as they should have beaten Costa Rica easily. Yet they struggled to get a goal and their Gold Cup journey up to that point was not the best. In the quarterfinal against Saudi Arabia Mexico defeated their opponent with a 2-0 score. They were the better team between the two but it still wasn’t a great performance. Regardless, they made the semifinals and Honduras was standing in their way of another final. Once again Mexico struggled but they were able to hang onto a 1-0 result thanks to Raul Jimenez. This lone goal was enough to get them through to the final against rivals the USA. They were given a shock to start the game as their opponents opened the score but they bounced back to win the game and lift another Gold Cup trophy. While they may have won another title, Mexico was not in their best form as individual players pulled through when they needed it most. At least Mexico ended the tournament on a positive note as this was their biggest challenge before the World Cup next summer and there’s nothing better than winning a trophy.
With how positive the first half and summer went for Mexico, many expected them to close out the year on another positive note but that was not the case. In September they had two friendlies against Japan and South Korea. The first match against Japan ended in a scoreless draw while South Korea almost ended in a loss. Mexico was rescued thanks to a late goal by Santiago Gimenez who had yet to perform up to expectations with Mexico. The next window in October ended badly as well after Mexico lost the first game against Colombia and drew against Ecuador. In the second game they were able to score but their performance was bad. Then came the last international window which saw the same results. A scoreless draw against Uruguay and 1-2 loss to Paraguay. A loss was not the way Mexico wanted to end the year.
In the first half of the year Mexico had a 9-1-2 record. Their first game of the year ended with a surprising 2-0 win where they moved onto a successful spring and summer. In the spring they won the Nations League trophy and in the summer they won the Gold Cup. Mexico was more dominant during the Nations League and it seemed as if the team had improved but then the Gold Cup arrived. Mexico was able to win that competition but it was in the way they played that left some doubts. In all the games they played in the tournament they were better than their opponent but they were not dominant. Mexico not only needs to win but they need to show their dominance but they were unable to do so. They struggled and it was apparent but they were given a pass due to the trophy. Their struggles in the summer tournament became apparent in the second half of the year where they did not win a single game. It was as if it was a different team but if one looked real close it wasn’t. This team has struggled all year round and if it wasn’t for individual players, they wouldn’t have had as many wins as they did. The truth is that Mexico is not ready for the World Cup if it were to be played tomorrow. If Mexico plays like they have been as of late, their worst nightmare is going to happen in the World Cup: being grouped as a host nation.
