Mexico's national soccer team faced a challenging match on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, when they squared off against Argentine powerhouse River Plate at the Estadio Monumental, succumbing to a 2-0 defeat.
The match took place during Mexico's two-game tour of South America, aiming to provide invaluable experience to the young squad under the leadership of head coach Javier Aguirre. After starting the tour with a commendable 2-0 victory over Internacional, the Mexican side entered the match with high hopes. Yet, they encountered significant challenges from the outset.
From the opening whistle, River Plate showcased their dominance, with their supporters creating a raucous atmosphere. A crowd of over 70,000 packed the stadium, establishing one of the most intimidating environments for the Mexican players, whose nerves were visible as they struggled to control possession.
It took just eight minutes for River Plate to find the back of the net, with midfielder Giuliano Galoppo scoring from close range after connecting with a corner kick. This early strike set the tone for the match, as the Argentine squad continued to apply relentless pressure on the Tricolor defense. Mexico's young squad, often failing to string together more than three passes, was clearly outmatched during the first half.
Head coach Aguirre had brought along several players from Liga MX to evaluate potential candidates for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Many were making their first appearances on the international stage, and this match was intended to test their mettle against established competition.
All hopes for improvement were dashed when River Plate extended their lead to 2-0 shortly before halftime. Star forward Miguel Borja unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, landing squarely past goalkeeper Andrés Sánchez, who was making his debut for the national team.
Despite Aguirre's efforts to implement changes during the second half—bringing on young talent like 16-year-old Gilberto Mora and 19-year-old Elías Montiel—Mexico could not find their footing. River Plate switched up their starting lineup, making nine changes, which somewhat lessened their intensity but the Tricolor still struggled to break through.
According to Aguirre, the outcome of the match was far less important than how his players handled the hostile environment. He noted, "This was not about the result but about how they cope with such intimidating conditions. The players didn't seem anxious; they were simply beaten by their superior opponents."
Overall, Mexico managed only one shot on target throughout the match, emphasizing their struggles against River Plate’s relentless style of play. The result raised questions about whether their previous win against Internacional was merely coincidental, underlining the gaps they need to address to compete against higher caliber teams.
Fans of the Mexican national team, often anticipating forward momentum as they gear up for the 2026 World Cup co-hosting, left with mixed feelings. On the one hand, there were bright spots such as Mora's and Montiel’s performance; on the other hand, the overall disappointment of the defeat paled any aspirations for glory.
This game marked the end of Mexico’s January camp, wrapping up the tour with one victory and one loss. Moving forward, their next match is scheduled for March, where they will take on Canada during the Concacaf Nations League Final Four. Aguirre will be hoping to field his strongest squad for this significantly important encounter.