Berterame Lifts Mexico Over Bolivia In Gritty Friendly

Sunday afternoon in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, set the stage for an international friendly that carried far more weight than a typical exhibition match. Mexico, under the guidance of Javier Aguirre, squared off against Bolivia at the Estadio Ramón "Tahuichi" Aguilera, sharpening their claws in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The stakes? A shot at redemption after a rocky 2025 and a chance for emerging talents to stake their claim for a coveted World Cup roster spot.

Kickoff arrived at 13:30 Central Mexico Time, with both squads fielding lineups that reflected their respective ambitions. For Mexico, the match was another stop on a mini-tour designed to test the mettle of a squad blending Liga MX regulars with veterans of the Qatar 2022 campaign. Aguirre, ever the tactician, made it clear before the match: "What we seek is for the Mexican player to dig deep in different circumstances and show they're ready for the big event (World Cup) we have in June," he said at the pre-match press conference in Santa Cruz.

Bolivia, meanwhile, eyed the clash as a key test before their own World Cup playoff push. The South American side, led by a competitive spirit, had recently drawn 1-1 against Panama, a result that gave them a slight psychological edge heading into this contest—at least on paper.

But Mexico had finally found a glimmer of form just days earlier, snapping a winless streak by edging Panama 1-0 on January 22. That result, their first victory of the year, provided a much-needed morale boost. It also gave Aguirre the freedom to experiment, as he continued evaluating both new faces and established leaders. "I'm happy with this tour, very happy with this preparation because it allows us to choose the most capable according to our criteria," Aguirre remarked, hinting at the fierce competition within the squad.

One player in the spotlight was Armando 'Hormiga' González, the Chivas striker whose rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Inspired by the anime 'Blue Lock,' González has his sights set on becoming Mexico's next great forward. With Aguirre confirming, "My conscious answer is that there are three spots for center forward," the pressure was on. González, fresh off a praised substitute appearance against Panama, started against Bolivia, eager to impress and climb the pecking order behind Raúl Jiménez, Santiago Giménez, and Germán Berterame.

The match itself was a gritty affair, with both sides showing flashes of intensity and tactical discipline. The first half saw Mexico control possession but struggle to break down Bolivia's organized defense. Tala Rangel, Aguirre's preferred choice between the posts over Luis Malagón, was called into action a handful of times, making key saves to keep the scoreline level. As halftime arrived, the scoreboard read 0-0, but the tension was palpable—every minute on the pitch was another audition for Mexico's World Cup hopefuls.

Early in the second half, the contest grew even more physical. Bolivia's Robson Matheus received a straight red card for fighting, reducing the hosts to ten men and tilting the momentum in Mexico's favor. The breakthrough finally came when Germán Berterame, ever the opportunist, capitalized on a rebound in the Bolivian penalty area to slot home the game's only goal. The Mexican bench erupted, and Berterame's teammates swarmed him in celebration. For Berterame, who is rumored to be a transfer target for Inter Miami, the goal was more than just a match-winner—it was a statement of intent.

The closing stages of the match saw Mexico tighten their grip, with substitutions bringing fresh legs and tactical adjustments. Aguirre rotated in Luis Romo, Denzell García, and Alexis Gutiérrez, while Bolivia shuffled their lineup in search of an equalizer. Yet, Rangel remained resolute in goal, denying Bolivia's best efforts and preserving the clean sheet. The final whistle confirmed Mexico's 1-0 victory, a result that extended their unbeaten run against Bolivia to eleven matches—ten wins and two draws in thirteen meetings.

Despite the triumph, not all observers were convinced by the performance. Noted analyst David Faitelson didn't mince words, criticizing Mexico's lack of attacking flair: "Mexico still leaves doubts because they lack offensive effectiveness." His sentiment echoed among fans, who saw flashes of promise but also lingering questions about the team's ability to create and finish chances as the World Cup looms ever closer.

On the injury front, there were concerns for Israel Reyes, who was stretchered off after suffering a knock. His status will be closely monitored by both the national team staff and Club América, with the World Cup just months away. Meanwhile, the goalkeeping debate heated up, as Rangel's steady showing may have nudged him ahead in the race for the starting spot in June, though Aguirre has yet to make a definitive decision.

The friendly also marked another chapter in Mexico's ongoing squad evaluation. Five players with World Cup experience from Qatar 2022 featured, providing a backbone of leadership for younger talents. Aguirre revealed, "I have 80 percent of the list defined," underscoring that every minute played in these friendlies could tip the balance for those on the roster bubble.

For Bolivia, the defeat stung, but the experience against a World Cup-bound side offered valuable lessons. The hosts showed resilience and flashes of creativity, but ultimately couldn't break through Mexico's disciplined back line. They'll regroup as they prepare for their own qualification challenges in the months ahead.

Looking ahead, Mexico's mini-tour continues, with another friendly against Iceland slated for late February. Each match serves as another dress rehearsal, another opportunity for Aguirre to fine-tune his selections and for players like González and Berterame to seize their moment.

For now, Mexico can savor a hard-fought win on South American soil—a small but meaningful step on the long road to the World Cup. The questions remain, but with every match, the answers grow a little clearer.