The much-anticipated friendly between Mexico and Colombia at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, turned into a night to forget for El Tri as Colombia delivered a commanding 4-0 victory in front of a raucous crowd of 74,438. This match, held on October 11, 2025, was billed as a crucial test for both squads as they look ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. For Mexico, it was a sobering reminder of the work that lies ahead, while Colombia showcased the form that recently secured their World Cup qualification.
From the moment the teams walked out to the thunderous cheers and the booming Colombian anthem, it was clear that this was more than just a warm-up. The Latino fans in the United States responded in droves, snapping up over 50,000 tickets by mid-September and forcing organizers to open additional seating. By kickoff, the stadium brimmed with energy, with yellow-clad Colombian supporters making their presence felt and Mexican fans hoping for a turnaround after a string of underwhelming results.
Mexico’s coach, Javier Aguirre, known affectionately as 'El Vasco,' had named a 25-man squad for this friendly and the upcoming clash with Ecuador. The lineup was a blend of European-based talent and Liga MX standouts: Luis Malagón in goal, a backline featuring Jorge Sánchez, César Montes, Johan Vásquez, and Jesús Gallardo, with Erik Lira and Marcel Ruiz anchoring the midfield. Orbelín Pineda, Diego Lainez, Santiago Giménez, and Alexis Vega rounded out a starting eleven that, on paper, looked capable of matching Colombia’s firepower.
Colombia, fresh off sealing their World Cup spot with a commanding win over Bolivia, arrived in Dallas with confidence sky-high. Coach Néstor Lorenzo fielded a formidable side led by David Ospina in goal, Jhon Lucumí, Álvaro Angulo, Willer Ditta, and the electric Luis Díaz. James Rodríguez, ever the orchestrator, pulled the strings in midfield alongside Kevin Serna, Kevin Castaño, Luis Suárez, Jefferson Lerma, and Daniel Muñoz. The presence of several Liga MX players in Colombia’s ranks added an extra layer of intrigue for fans familiar with both leagues.
The opening minutes saw Colombia assert themselves, moving the ball with intent and pressing high up the pitch. Mexico, meanwhile, tried to settle into their possession game, but cracks began to show early on. Despite some flashes of individual brilliance—Santiago Giménez’s darting runs and Diego Lainez’s probing dribbles—the Mexican attack struggled to find cohesion. "La posesión es azteca, pero no saben generar," noted AS México, highlighting Mexico’s inability to turn possession into meaningful chances.
Colombia’s breakthrough came late in the first half. After a defensive mix-up and a poor clearance from Malagón, Jhon Lucumí found himself unmarked in the box and slotted home to give Colombia a 1-0 lead at halftime. The Mexican defenders, Marcel and Johan, collided, leaving space for Lucumí to exploit—a moment emblematic of Mexico’s defensive frailties on the night.
After the break, things went from bad to worse for El Tri. Colombia’s Jefferson Lerma doubled the lead with a spectacular volley following a rebound in the area—"Rebote en el área y volea espectacular de Lerma que se vuelve imposible para Malagón," as described in the match report. The floodgates had opened, and Colombia began to play with swagger, their fans serenading the stadium with chants of "Ole!" as Mexico struggled to keep pace.
Luis Díaz, ever the threat, made it 3-0 after a slick counterattack orchestrated by James Rodríguez, whose vision and passing were a class apart. The fourth goal came courtesy of Carbonero, capitalizing on another errant play from Malagón. By then, the atmosphere in the stands had shifted—Colombian supporters were in full celebration mode, while Mexican fans watched in stunned silence.
The substitutions—Erik Lira out for Charly Rodríguez, with Quiñones and Berterame replacing Giménez and Vega—did little to stem the tide. Colombia, too, rotated their squad, bringing on Borré and Quintero for James and Angulo, maintaining their grip on the match. Yellow cards were handed out to Jorge Sánchez and Luis Suárez, but discipline was hardly the story; it was Colombia’s dominance and Mexico’s disarray that defined the evening.
Despite some late Mexican pressure and a few half-chances—Giménez narrowly missing a header, Lainez trying to spark something on the wing—Colombia’s defense held firm. The statistics told the story: Mexico failed to score, and their attack looked toothless without the injured Raúl Jiménez. The post-game mood was somber among the Mexican contingent, with AS México remarking, "No hay futbol y no hay fiesta en las gradas. Ambiente apagado con la derrota de los mexicanos."
For Colombia, this result was just the latest in a string of impressive performances. Having finished third in the CONMEBOL qualifiers—behind only Argentina and Ecuador—they are shaping up as a genuine threat for the World Cup. The blend of youthful exuberance and veteran leadership, especially from James Rodríguez, has given Colombian fans plenty to dream about.
Mexico, on the other hand, faces searching questions. This was their first outing since a pair of draws against Japan and South Korea in September, results that had already left fans and pundits uneasy. The lack of a clear "A" or "B" team, the defensive lapses, and the absence of cutting edge up front are issues that Javier Aguirre must address—and quickly. "Poco y nada a 9 meses del Mundial. No hay un cuadro A y mucho menos uno B," lamented the match report, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Yet, if there’s a silver lining, it’s that friendlies like this are designed to expose weaknesses before the real test arrives. Aguirre, who has seen it all in his storied managerial career, will know that the path to World Cup success is rarely smooth. With matches against Ecuador and others still to come, there’s time to regroup, recalibrate, and reignite the fighting spirit that has defined Mexican soccer for generations.
As the fans filed out of AT&T Stadium, the message was clear: Colombia is ready for the world stage, while Mexico has some soul-searching to do. The road to 2026 just got a little bumpier for El Tri, but there’s still time to right the ship before the big dance begins.
