El Tri started the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada on the right foot. The Aztec team beat South Africa 2-0. Armando González saw his first minutes in a World Cup. Javier Aguirre gave confidence to the “Ant”.

The Chivas de Guadalajara forward did not start in the opening match of the World Cup. However, González was ready to receive the call from Javier Aguirre.

In the 76th minute of the match, Armando González entered the field to replace Raúl Jiménez, one of the scorers of the match. “Vasco” motivated González before entering the field.

“Nothing, just that I did what brought me here, and that I focused on that,” revealed the young forward of the Rebaño Sagrado in a statement for Fox Sports.

Armando González only played the final 15 minutes of the match. The Aztec striker did not influence much in offensive actions. In fact, the “Ant” did not kick the goal. González only made one pass, was fouled and lost a couple of possessions. But the Chivas player has already taken off the pressure of his debut.

Armando González's experience

At 23 years old, Armando González has already seen his first minutes with Mexico in a World Cup. But in general terms, it is the first time that the “Ant” is in a championship of this caliber. González was delighted with this first experience in the legendary Azteca Stadium with the El Tri shirt.

"Incredible, I have no words to describe what I had to experience today. All the people, all the flag, the anthem, everything is impressive... There is no way to describe it. It is pure emotion," described the Liga MX forward.

Group A of the 2026 World Cup