Berterame Strike Lifts Mexico Over Bolivia In Intense Friendly

Mexico’s national soccer team edged out Bolivia 1-0 in a fiercely contested international friendly on January 25, 2026, at the Ramón Tahuichi Stadium in Santa Cruz. The match, part of both teams’ crucial preparations for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, saw German Berterame emerge as the hero for El Tri with a decisive second-half goal. While the scoreline might suggest a narrow affair, the encounter was brimming with intensity, drama, and more than a few moments that had fans on the edge of their seats.

From the opening whistle, it was clear both squads were treating this friendly as far more than a routine exhibition. With Mexico co-hosting the World Cup later in the year and Bolivia riding the high of a historic push to the intercontinental playoffs, the stakes felt elevated—even if no points or trophies were on the line. The atmosphere inside the Ramón Tahuichi Stadium was electric, with more than 35,000 fans packing the stands despite ongoing renovations that left the venue just 92% complete. Inspections had cleared the stadium for use, and the unfinished corners did nothing to dampen the energy.

Mexico controlled possession for much of the first half, weaving passes in midfield and probing for openings. Yet, despite their dominance on the ball, clear-cut chances proved elusive. Bolivia, meanwhile, showed no signs of intimidation. They pressed aggressively and looked to spring forward on the counter, threatening to catch Mexico off guard. In the 6th minute, Mexico nearly broke through when Armando Gonzalez found Carlos Rodriguez with a slick through ball, only for Bolivian goalkeeper Carlos Lampe to make a crucial save and keep the match goalless.

Physicality was the order of the day, and the referee wasted no time reaching for his pocket. By the 2nd minute, Mexico’s Jorge Sanchez had already seen yellow for a hard challenge on Carlos Melgar. The cautions continued to come, with Diego Lainez, Erik Lira, and Bolivia’s Moises Villaroel and Ramiro Vaca all picking up bookings as the match wore on. The tackles were flying in, and tempers occasionally flared, but neither side could find the breakthrough before halftime.

Bolivia’s best chance of the first half came in the 39th minute when Bruno Miranda sent a close-range header just wide after a pinpoint cross from Lucas Macazaga. Moments later, Mexican goalkeeper Raúl Rangel was called into action, making a superb save to deny a powerful effort from Fernando Nava. The first 45 minutes ended 0-0, with both teams feeling they could have done more but knowing they were still very much in the contest.

The second half started with both managers making tactical adjustments. Mexico’s coach shuffled the lineup, bringing on German Berterame, Alexis Gutierrez, and Denzell Garcia to inject fresh legs and attacking intent. Bolivia responded with their own changes, aiming to maintain their defensive discipline while seeking a spark up front.

Bolivia came closest to opening the scoring in the 50th minute. Carlos Melgar pounced on a loose ball after a high press, unleashing a shot that thundered off the post. The near miss seemed to wake up Mexico, who began to push forward with renewed urgency.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 68th minute. After a well-worked set piece, Everardo Lopez’s delivery caused chaos in the Bolivian box. Lampe’s attempted clearance was less than convincing, and the ball fell kindly to German Berterame, who made no mistake with a right-footed shot from the center of the box. The net rippled, and the Mexican contingent erupted in celebration. It was a classic poacher’s finish, and one that underscored Berterame’s growing reputation as a difference-maker for El Tri.

"Berterame scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the box after capitalizing on a rebound from a poor clearance by goalkeeper Lampe following a free kick, with an assist from Everardo Lopez," reported Bolavip, capturing the moment that defined the match.

But the drama was far from over. Bolivia, now trailing, threw caution to the wind. Their efforts nearly paid off when they again tested Rangel, who stood tall to preserve Mexico’s slender advantage. In the 84th minute, controversy reared its head. Robson Matheus, who had come on as a substitute, was shown a straight red card for a hard challenge on Berterame. Both players had gone to ground in a fierce battle for the ball, and while the decision sparked heated protests from the Bolivian bench, the referee was unmoved. Down to ten men, Bolivia’s task became even steeper.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Bolivia pressed forward with admirable determination. The fourth official signaled five minutes of stoppage time, and the home side poured numbers forward in search of an equalizer. Mexico, meanwhile, managed the clock with composure, making tactical substitutions to shore up their midfield and defense. Luis Romo and Brian Gutierrez entered the fray, helping to stem the tide and protect the lead.

With the final whistle, Mexico secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory—another confidence boost as they continue their World Cup preparations. For Bolivia, the defeat was a setback, but their spirited performance and near-misses showed they remain a threat as they chase their first World Cup appearance in over three decades.

The match also added another chapter to the head-to-head history between these nations. In thirteen previous meetings, Mexico had won ten times, drawn twice, and lost just once—a 3-1 defeat in the 1997 Copa América semifinals. This latest result reinforced Mexico’s dominance, but Bolivia’s resilience and the raucous Santa Cruz crowd made clear that the gap is narrowing.

Fans in the United States had no shortage of ways to catch the action, with the match broadcast live on Fubo, DirecTV Stream, FOX Deportes, Univision, TUDN, and ViX. Streaming options abounded, ensuring that supporters could follow every twist and turn whether at home or abroad—even those needing a VPN to access their usual services.

For Mexico, this win follows a recent run of mixed results against South American opposition, including a dramatic win over Panama and tough losses to Colombia, Uruguay, and Brazil. The friendly against Bolivia offered a valuable chance to test new combinations and build momentum ahead of the World Cup, where expectations will be sky-high for the co-host nation.

As the final whistle echoed through the Ramón Tahuichi Stadium, both teams could take heart from a contest that delivered on its promise: a physical, passionate, and at times chaotic preview of what’s to come on the road to the 2026 World Cup. For now, Mexico can savor a hard-earned win, while Bolivia will regroup and look ahead to their next challenge, knowing they pushed one of North America’s giants to the limit.