Mexico Falls 1-2 to Paraguay in Final 2026 World Cup Prep Match at Alamodome
- Sami El-Amin
- 20 November 2025
- 0 Comments
It wasn't the farewell Mexico wanted. On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, the Mexican national team lost 1-2 to Paraguay in a tense, emotionally charged international friendly — their final match before the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The result ended Mexico’s 2025 campaign on a sour note, extending a winless streak that has fans and coaches alike questioning momentum heading into the tournament they’ll co-host with the U.S. and Canada.
Final Countdown Before the World Cup
For the Mexican Football Federation (FMF), this match was meant to be a confidence-builder. Pre-match statements from the federation emphasized the need to "end the year with a victory after a streak without a win." But Paraguay had other plans. The South American side, known for their physicality and disciplined counterattacks, came to San Antonio not just to play — but to prove they still belong among the continent’s elite.
The Alamodome was packed with an estimated 58,000 fans — a mix of Mexican expats, local soccer enthusiasts, and Paraguayan supporters who made the trip from Texas border towns. The atmosphere was electric, but the scoreline told a different story. Paraguay struck twice in a 12-minute span after halftime, while Mexico’s lone goal came from a penalty that felt more like a consolation than a turning point.
Lineups, Goals, and Tactical Shifts
Starting for Mexico was veteran captain Edson Álvarez (#4), flanked by midfielders Marcel Ruiz and Jorge Lira. Goalkeeper Luis Malagón (#1) was solid early, but couldn’t stop Paraguay’s clinical finishers. The visitors’ first goal came in the 48th minute from Antonio Sanabria, who slipped past two defenders and curled a left-footed shot into the far corner. It was a strike worthy of a World Cup stage.
Mexico equalized in the 54th minute after a handball by Paraguay’s Gustavo Sánchez in the box. Raúl Jiménez (#9), Mexico’s most experienced forward, stepped up and buried the penalty — his 32nd international goal. For a moment, it felt like the tide had turned.
It didn’t last. Just two minutes later, Damián Bobadilla (#18) pounced on a poor clearance from Israel Reyes and slotted home from 12 yards. The goal stunned the home crowd. The Mexican defense, already stretched thin, collapsed under pressure. Paraguay’s backline, anchored by Víctor Velázquez and Antonio Duarte, held firm for the final 35 minutes.
Substitutions were frequent and telling. Mexico brought on Jesús Gallardo and Roberto Alvarado in the 60th minute, hoping to spark creativity. But Paraguay responded with tactical discipline — replacing Alan Benítez at halftime and Braian Ojeda in the 92nd minute to kill the clock. The final whistle blew at 90+7’, with Paraguay players celebrating like they’d won a World Cup qualifier.
A History of Close Calls
This wasn’t an isolated upset. The last five meetings between the two sides have been friendlies — and Mexico had won four of them. But the most recent, played in 2023 in Guadalajara, ended 2-1 to Paraguay. That result, and now this one, suggest a shift in balance. Paraguay, long seen as a resilient underdog, is playing with more confidence. Their coach, Gerardo Martino (yes, *that* Martino — former Barcelona and Argentina coach), has instilled a new tactical identity: compact, fast, and ruthlessly efficient.
Mexico’s head coach, Jaime Lozano, admitted after the match: "We had chances. We had control. But we didn’t make the most of them. And when you don’t, teams like Paraguay punish you." He added that the team’s focus now shifts to analyzing video footage and refining set pieces — a known weakness.
What This Means for the 2026 World Cup
For Mexico, this loss isn’t a disaster — but it’s a warning. They’ve struggled to beat mid-tier CONMEBOL sides in recent years, and Paraguay is hardly a powerhouse. If they can’t handle a team that finished 7th in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, how will they fare against Brazil or Uruguay? The FMF has spent millions on youth academies and foreign-based players, but the national team still lacks a consistent attacking rhythm.
Paraguay, meanwhile, has quietly become one of the most dangerous teams in South America. Their 2025 campaign included draws against Colombia and Peru, and now this win over Mexico. They’re not just surviving — they’re threatening.
The Alamodome has hosted World Cup qualifiers before, but never a match with this kind of psychological weight. For Mexico, it’s a reminder: hosting doesn’t guarantee success. Preparation does.
What’s Next?
Mexico’s next official match is the 2026 World Cup opener against Poland on June 12, 2026, in Mexico City. Before then, they’ll play two more friendlies in February — against Japan and South Korea — to test their new midfield combinations. Paraguay will face Ecuador in a March qualifier, trying to secure direct World Cup qualification.
For fans, the message is clear: hope isn’t gone, but complacency is. The team needs more than talent — it needs resilience, discipline, and a killer instinct.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Mexico lose despite having more possession?
Mexico controlled 58% of possession, but Paraguay’s defense was ultra-compact, forcing Mexico into low-percentage crosses and long shots. Paraguay’s two goals came from counterattacks — one off a turnover, the other from a defensive error. Efficiency beat volume. Mexico created 14 chances but only two were on target.
Who scored for Paraguay, and how did they break through?
Antonio Sanabria opened the scoring in the 48th minute with a curling left-footed strike after a quick transition. Damián Bobadilla sealed it in the 56th minute by exploiting a miscommunication between Reyes and Malagón. Both goals came from set-piece-like situations — not open play — showing Paraguay’s precision in exploiting defensive lapses.
Was this match officially part of the World Cup qualifiers?
No, it was a friendly. But it carried qualifier-level stakes. With Mexico’s last win dating back to September 2024, the FMF treated this as a critical test against a South American side with similar physical and tactical traits to potential World Cup opponents like Chile or Bolivia.
How did the substitutions affect the outcome?
Mexico’s key subs — Gallardo and Alvarado — entered in the 60th minute but struggled to create space against Paraguay’s deep block. Meanwhile, Paraguay’s late changes, including replacing Ojeda with a defensive midfielder in the 92nd minute, were purely tactical — aimed at protecting the lead. The timing favored Paraguay’s game plan.
Why was this match played in San Antonio?
San Antonio has a large Mexican-American population and a proven track record hosting international friendlies, including 2022 World Cup qualifiers. The Alamodome offers climate-controlled conditions and modern facilities, making it ideal for winter matches. It also avoids the logistical challenges of playing in Mexico City’s high altitude.
What’s the historical record between Mexico and Paraguay?
In their last five friendlies, Mexico won four (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019), but Paraguay won the most recent one in 2023 (2-1). This 2025 result continues the trend of Paraguay improving — and Mexico stagnating — in head-to-head encounters. The last time Mexico beat Paraguay was over six years ago.
