MEXICO 0-2 CHILE
Oct 6, 2026
Att: 56,529 • LA Memorial Coliseum
LOS ANGELES — After a devastating 3-0 loss to the United States in Glendale, Arizona, Mexico looked to finally get their first win under the brand-new Rafael Marquez era. It has not been easy for Mexico’s Men’s National Team, as in their first two games they’ve impressed against some tough opponents from CONMEBOL, drawing 1-1 against Colombia and Peru. All signs pointed to them being able to compete against the US, but unfortunately things did not go their way; costly mistakes and lack of discipline gave the game away. Now back in LA, they would look to end a long international break that left mixed results and some highlights on who could be in play for future tournaments.
Their opponent, nonetheless, is Chile, a team Mexico has had lots of history with, as they gave Mexico one of their worst losses in 2016’s edition of the Copa America, winning 7-0. As of late, Chile has no longer been the golden generation they once were of the 2010’s, after having missed three consecutive World Cup’s since 2014 and having placed dead last in World Cup Qualifiers. Their international break has not been what they wished it would be as they’ve suffered a 1-0 loss to Canada, and a 4-2 loss against the United States. Both teams are looking to end their international break on a high note in what would undoubtedly be a high-intensity battle.
For Mexico, the game came with much more importance, aside from trying to get Marquez’s first win as manager, as Mexican legend goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa would be honored before the match for his retirement from the team. A beautiful short ceremony was held for Ochoa as fans were able to view a short video dedicated to Ochoa’s grand career and fans sharing words of appreciation for the legend, along with a small banner being held with images of Ochoa and the saying “Thank You Memo.”
Mexico’s lineup would feature a mix of the usual stars, including Roberto Alvarado, Israel Reyes, and Álvaro Fidalgo while also mixing in fresh young talent getting an opportunity to start such as 23 year old goalkeeper Alex Padilla. Padilla would be getting the chance after Mexico’s first choice keeper Raúl Rangel committed two costly errors that led to scores in the previous loss to the US.
The first half saw both teams have their fair share of chances, as just into the game Mexico’s Jesus Gallardo took a low driven shot from outside of the box that was denied by Chile’s keeper Lawrence Vigouroux in the 4th minute. Chile would follow that up with their own chance in the 10th minute as forward Gonzalo Tapia would fight to keep possession of the ball and get a shot off while facing pressure from Érik Lira, which would be denied by Padilla’s for his first save of the game. Before heading into halftime at the 45th minute, Mexico’s Armando González came close to breaking the deadlock as he headed a ball just past the goalpost after a perfect cross from Alvarado. Mexico only had 2 shots that were on target out of 5 total shots while Chile only had 1 of 4 throughout the first half; both teams failed to find the back of the net at the end of the first 45 minutes of the game.
Chile came out much more prepared and determined in the second half to find a goal, as in the 47th minute, Tapia would again come close to scoring from a set piece as his shot would fly over the crossbar after a pass made to him by teammate Gabriel Suazo. Just like the first half, Mexico as well would have their own chance two minutes later in the 49th minute; midfielder Obed Vargas would attempt a shot just outside of the box that would be saved by Vigouroux, only for defender Israel Reyes to attempt to put away the rebound but find his shot denied by Chile’s defender Paulo Diaz before even getting to the keeper. Chile would finally find the first goal of the game as in the 54th minute off a counter attack from midfield; Tapia would make the thread the ball through between both Mexican defenders Israel Reyes and Everado López, for forward Maximiliano Gutiérrez to drive it through Padilla’s legs into the back of the net.
Mexico would be unable to find their rhythm or get any momentum going as Chile found a way to stifle any attack Mexico attempted. In the 65th minute, fresh off subbing on anyone who would be able to try and tie the game for Mexico immediately saw it go to waste as Chile would find the second goal of the night to extend their lead and silence the majority of Mexico fans in attendance. In an attempt to clear the ball from their own half, Chilean midfielder Vicente Pizzaro not only recovered Mexico's poor attempt at a clearance but also scored it after an assist from teammate Dario Osorio, practically having orchestrated the entire play himself. They came close to make it an even worse loss as in the 88th minute, off a counterattack Chile’s Ben Brereton dribbled the ball all the way across the field into Mexico’s box and failed to put the ball away as it soared pass the goalpost. Chile would walk away with the 2-0 victory and their only victory in the three games played in their international break.
As for Mexico, this game left much more to be seen and frustrations known for a fanbase who came out of the World Cup excited and ready to finally see their team compete with the best. It’s not the start manager Rafael Marquez wished for, as in four games at the helm he’d walk away winless with only two draws and two losses. It was a team that had missed lots of key players on its attack, such as veteran Raúl Jiménez and World Cup hero Julian Quiñones; without them, the team only managed two goals in total across four games. Despite only scoring two goals, you can not look past the seven goals the team received this international break as a problem as well. It’s a disappointing start to the Rafael Marquez era, as he has to spend about a month before they face off against Jamaica in the Nations League quarterfinals. If he and the team fail to impress the federation and fanbase, you can expect questions to begin to arise about whether Marquez is truly the right man to lead the team and the federation’s project for the 2030 World Cup.
