Mexico Falls 1-2 to Paraguay in Final 2025 Friendly Amid World Cup Prep Woes
Mexico’s 2025 campaign ended on a sour note with a 1-2 defeat to Paraguay in an international friendly on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 — a result that exposed defensive fragility and raised fresh questions about readiness for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match, broadcast live on Fox Deportes, saw Paraguay strike twice in a stunning six-minute span after halftime, turning what looked like a hard-fought draw into a demoralizing loss for Mexico national team. The final whistle blew at 90'+7', sealing a result that echoed through locker rooms and analyst desks alike.
Paraguay’s Quick Strike Decides the Game
It wasn’t supposed to be this way. Mexico entered the match as favorites, fielding a starting XI that included veteran striker Raúl Jiménez and reliable midfielder Edson Álvarez. But Paraguay, playing with grit and precision, struck first in the 48th minute through Antonio Sanabria, who finished coolly after a counterattack that caught Mexico’s backline napping. The goal stunned the Mexican bench — and the broadcast team on Fox Deportes, who noted it was the first time in three friendlies this year that El Tri had conceded inside the first 10 minutes of the second half.
Then came the twist. Just six minutes later, Uriel Antuna Pineda surged past two defenders down the left, was brought down in the box, and referee’s whistle blew. The penalty was awarded — a decision confirmed after VAR review. Raúl Jiménez, who had netted eight goals in 2025, stepped up. His penalty wasn’t just a conversion — it was a statement. "The fallen step from the strike and an emphatic finish," as the Fox Deportes commentator put it. 1-1. Mexico smelled a comeback.
They didn’t get it.
Two minutes after the equalizer, Paraguay’s Damián Bobadilla pounced on a loose ball near the six-yard box after a miscommunication between César Montes Reyes and goalkeeper Luis Malagón. Bobadilla didn’t even need to break stride — just a simple tap-in. The goal, at 56’, was the death knell. Mexico’s defense, which had looked solid in the first half, completely unraveled in those critical minutes.
Goalkeeper Struggles and Missed Opportunities
While Luis Malagón made a crucial save in the 24th minute to deny a close-range header, his performance was inconsistent. "I feel like he was a bit nervous and hesitant on the first half," the Fox Deportes analyst remarked before the broadcast cut off. That hesitation became more pronounced in the second half, particularly on Bobadilla’s goal, where Malagón failed to close down the angle.
Mexico’s attacking play, meanwhile, was disjointed. Despite having 58% possession, they created only two clear chances — the penalty and a late corner that hit the post in the 68th minute. "That was Mexico’s only threat in the first half," noted the commentator. Without Jiménez’s clinical finishing, the team looked toothless. Substitutes like Germán Berterame and Obed Vargas offered energy but lacked the final pass.
World Cup Preparations Under Scrutiny
This wasn’t just another friendly. As Last Word on Sports reported on November 20, 2025, the match was part of a "turbulent" preparation cycle for the 2026 World Cup — a tournament Mexico will co-host with the United States and Canada. The loss to Paraguay followed a 2-1 defeat to Bolivia just days earlier, making it two losses in three friendlies against lower-ranked opponents.
It’s not just the results — it’s the pattern. Mexico is failing to build cohesion. The midfield trio of Carlos Rodríguez Ruiz, Érick Sánchez Lira, and Diego Valdés Ruvalcaba lacked rhythm. The fullbacks, Jesús Ricardo Angulo Chávez and Johan Vásquez Orozco, were caught too high too often. And the lack of a true playmaker in the center — with no Andrés Guardado or Hirving Lozano on the pitch — left the team directionless.
"They’re playing scared," said former Mexico captain Rafael Márquez on Twitter after the match. "Not scared of losing — scared of making a mistake. That’s not the El Tri we remember. That’s not the team that can win a World Cup."
What Comes Next for El Tri?
Mexico’s next official match isn’t until March 2026, when they face Jamaica in a CONCACAF World Cup qualifier. But the next 100 days are critical. Coach Jaime Lozano must decide whether to stick with this core or bring in younger talent like Andrés Perea or Diego Lainez (who came on as a sub in the 73rd minute).
Defensively, the team needs structure. The backline has conceded in six of its last seven friendlies. Offensively, they’re over-reliant on Jiménez — who, at 33, can’t carry the load alone. The midfield must develop chemistry. And the players need to stop treating friendlies as exhibition games.
Meanwhile, Paraguay — who finished third in the 2024 Copa América — proved they’re a serious regional contender. Their two goals in six minutes were a masterclass in transition play. They didn’t dominate possession. They didn’t need to. They waited. And when the chance came, they killed it.
Broader Context: A Region in Flux
On the same day, the USMNT crushed Uruguay 5-1 in another friendly, signaling a new era under head coach Gregg Berhalter. Australia’s Socceroos collapsed late against Colombia, losing 3-2. These results aren’t random. They reflect a shifting power balance in CONCACAF and South America. Mexico, once the region’s undisputed leader, is now one of several contenders — and not even the favorite.
For Mexican fans, this match wasn’t just a loss. It was a warning.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Raúl Jiménez’s penalty impact Mexico’s momentum?
Jiménez’s 54th-minute penalty leveled the score at 1-1 and briefly energized Mexico’s attack, marking his eighth goal of 2025. But the goal didn’t shift the game’s dynamics — Paraguay responded within two minutes with Damián Bobadilla’s winner. The quick turnaround exposed Mexico’s inability to maintain pressure after scoring, a recurring flaw in their recent friendlies.
Why is this loss concerning for Mexico’s 2026 World Cup chances?
Mexico has now lost two of its last three friendlies against lower-ranked teams — Paraguay and Bolivia — raising alarms about defensive organization and mental toughness. With the World Cup co-hosted in North America, expectations are sky-high. Repeating this performance in qualifiers could mean elimination before the group stage, something Mexico hasn’t faced since 1978.
Who scored for Paraguay, and what’s their current form?
Antonio Sanabria opened the scoring in the 48th minute, while Damián Bobadilla netted the decisive goal in the 56th. Paraguay, third in the 2024 Copa América, has won four of their last five friendlies, including a 2-0 win over Colombia in October. Their compact, counterattacking style is now a model for smaller CONMEBOL nations.
Did Mexico’s lineup reflect a long-term strategy or experimental changes?
The starting XI mixed veterans like Jiménez and Álvarez with fringe players like Carlos Rodríguez and Diego Valdés — suggesting experimentation. But with no clear midfield architect and inconsistent fullback play, it looked more like a patchwork than a plan. Substitutes like Obed Vargas and Alexis Gutiérrez offered little impact, indicating depth issues.
What did Fox Deportes’ broadcast reveal about Mexico’s performance?
The broadcast highlighted Luis Malagón’s nervousness in goal, the team’s lack of creativity in the final third, and the fact that Mexico’s only first-half threat was a corner that hit the post. Analysts repeatedly noted the team’s reliance on individual brilliance rather than collective movement — a dangerous trend heading into a tournament where tactical discipline wins games.
How does this result compare to Mexico’s past performances in friendlies?
In 2023, Mexico won six of eight friendlies, including a 3-0 win over Chile. In 2024, they went 4-3-1, with losses to Uruguay and Colombia. This 2025 run — two losses in three matches — is their worst in over a decade. The trend suggests a decline in tactical discipline and mental resilience, not just individual talent.
