On November 18, 2025, the Mexico national football team faced the Paraguay national football team in a men’s international friendly at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Paraguay secured a 2‑1 victory, with goals from Antonio Sanabria (48′) and Damián Bobadilla (56′) after Mexico had pulled level through Raúl Jiménez’s penalty (54′).
This match served as the final international outing for Mexico in 2025 ahead of hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Key Turning Points
1. Lightning Start to Second Half
Mexico and Paraguay entered halftime locked at 0‑0 after a first half of cautious buildup. However, just three minutes after the break, Paraguay struck: Sanabria finished a well‑timed run following an assist by Julio Enciso to make it 1‑0 (48′).
Insight: A fast start to the second half can upend a game’s rhythm—Paraguay’s immediate strike showed they were mentally sharper coming out of the break.
2. Mexico Equalises — Then Loses Momentum
Mexico responded with a penalty at the 54th minute, Jiménez converting. Just two minutes later, Paraguay regained the lead when Bobadilla headed home (56′).
Insight: The quick reply from Paraguay after Mexico’s equaliser sucked the wind out of “El Tri.” Moments like these often decide friendlies when momentum shifts so fast.
3. Mexico’s Dominance Doesn’t Translate
Despite dominant possession (reported ~72% by one source) and more of the ball, Mexico managed only 9 shots vs. Paraguay’s 14. The conversion of possession into clear chances and goals was lacking.
Insight: Possession is only valuable when paired with penetration and efficiency. Mexico’s inability to turn the ball into meaningful goal threats was a major contributor to the defeat.
4. Goalkeeper and Defence Under Pressure
Mexico keeper Luis Malagón made several big saves late to prevent a wider margin (e.g., a near‑certain goal denied in the 88th minute). Yet fans reportedly booed him during the match, adding an off‑pitch pressure element.
Insight: Even if a keeper performs decently, if the defence in front is shaky and the crowd is restless, it can affect team morale and stability.
Strategic Approaches
Mexico’s Game Plan
- Under Javier Aguirre, Mexico used a 4‑3‑3 formation (according to ESPN) with an emphasis on possession and building from the back.
- The team sought to dominate midfield and maintain the ball, but lacked incisive final‑third execution.
- Full‑backs and midfielders had space, but the forwards (beyond Jiménez) found little rhythm.
Insight: For Mexico, the stylistic demand to keep the ball is clear, but in this match it exposed their weakness: when the tempo increases (as after Paraguay’s goal) they struggled to adapt.
Paraguay’s Game Plan
- Paraguay seemed to adopt a 4‑2‑3‑1 (per the same match report) with Enciso operating as a spark off the flank.
- They were patient in the first half, allowed Mexico the ball, and aimed to strike quickly after the break—which they did.
- Their transitional speed and ability to exploit Mexico’s momentary lapses shone.
Insight: Paraguay’s win demonstrated the value of a counter‑press and quick transition in international friendlies; you don’t always need sustained dominance if you strike at the right time.
Stand‑out Performances
- Antonio Sanabria (Paraguay): Scored the opening goal; his run and finish at 48′ changed the up‑tempo of the contest.
- Damián Bobadilla (Paraguay): Great response to Mexico’s equaliser; clinical header at 56′ to regain advantage.
- Raúl Jiménez (Mexico): Composed penalty conversion (54′) and some link‑up play, but not enough to galvanize a comeback.
- Luis Malagón (Mexico): Made several key saves that prevented a heavier defeat, but under pressure from fans and lacked support.
- Julio Enciso (Paraguay): While not scoring, his involvement in both goals (assists/passes) highlighted his rising influence.
Bigger Picture & Implications
- The result extends Mexico’s winless streak to six matches (six internationals) heading into the World Cup‑hosting year.
- For Paraguay, the victory provides a morale boost and shows they can compete and win away from home in high‑profile friendlies.
- For Mexico, while the match was a “friendly,” it exposed ongoing issues: conversion of possession, defensive lapses in transitions, and pressure handling from both the crowd and internal dynamics.
- Fan behaviour: The match saw the game halted at one point due to discriminatory chants from Mexico supporters.
Insight: With the 2026 World Cup approaching (and Mexico co‑hosting), performances in friendlies matter not just tactically but psychologically. The team must not only fix tactics, but regain trust and calm the off‑pitch storms.
Quick Takeaways
- Paraguay’s early second‑half goal and swift response after Mexico’s equaliser were decisive.
- Mexico dominated possession but failed to convert control into meaningful chances.
- Strategic execution: Paraguay’s transition game trumped Mexico’s possession style.
- Malagón’s performance was big‑save‑worthy, but defensive support and team momentum were lacking.
- The result raises red flags for Mexico ahead of 2026 — this was meant to be a tune‑up, not a warning.
Conclusion
The friendly between Mexico and Paraguay in San Antonio provided a stark snapshot of contrasting fortunes. Paraguay showed composure, opportunism, and tactical discipline; Mexico, while controlling large swathes of the ball, lacked cutting edge and stumbled at key moments. As Mexico prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, this result should spark introspection: dominance isn’t enough without ruthlessness, and fan expectations, internal pressure, and tournament preparation all converge now. For Paraguayan football, the win is a statement of intent.
210 Sports 