The Mexico Women's National Team faced its first defeat at the Pinatar Cup on February 22, 2025, losing 2-0 to Canada. Despite having secured victory against China Taipei just days before, the team struggled against the Canadian side, demonstrating both resilience and vulnerability.
Coached by Pedro López, the Mexican squad entered the match with high hopes following their 4-0 triumph over China Taipei, but quickly encountered obstacles. The match kicked off with injury strikes, as defender Greta Espinoza had to be substituted out just two minutes in due to injury, forcing Fátima Servín to step onto the field.
The first half was marked by various missed opportunities. Jacqueline Ovalle created several dangerous attempts, yet the Canadian goalkeeper, Kailen Sheridan, showcased excellent skills, denying Mexico from moving forward on the scoreboard. Yet the real turning point for the team occurred much later when Annia Mejía was ejected from the match after receiving her second yellow card at the 39th minute, leaving Mexico with just ten players for the remainder of the game.
Retreating to the halftime break at 0-0, the tension was palpable. Canada opened the scoring shortly after the break, capitalizing on their numerical superiority. Just five minutes after halftime, Vanessa Gilles, strong from the corner, managed to head the ball past Esthefanny Barreras, putting Canada up 1-0. The defensive lapse from Mexico was evident.
Mexico didn't give up, attempting to regain control of the match, with players like Nicole Pérez and Lizbeth Ovalle trying to find openings for goals. Ovalle even came dangerously close with two testing shots from outside the box, but Sheridan's solid performance stifled their efforts.
The contest grew more challenging for Mexico as Canada settled down and seized the match's rhythm. Despite Mexico's attempts to rally back, the Canadian side took full advantage of another defensive misstep. With just two minutes remaining, Adriana Leon managed to volley the ball home, sealing the game at 2-0.
With this loss, Mexico ends the day with one win and one loss at the Pinatar Cup. The team must regroup quickly, as they have another friendly match scheduled against China on February 25, 2025. López will need to address the concerns revealed during this clash with Canada, especially concerning disciplinary issues and catching up with the mounting pressure of qualifying for future tournaments.
This match is particularly noteworthy as it takes place during the team's preparations for the qualifying rounds leading to the Women's World Cup slated for 2027 and the 2028 Olympic Games.