The goalless draw between Mexico and Portugal left different interpretations beyond the scoreline. One of the key figures was Joao Cancelo, who expressed his dissatisfaction after the match played at the Banorte Stadium, which reopened after renovations in preparation for the 2026 World Cup. Get 20% off UEFA Champions League broadcasts in Spanish on DAZN. The Portuguese defender directly criticized the Mexican team's style of play and questioned some refereeing decisions. "I thought they were a very aggressive team, winning duels. Also, the referee could have called more fouls, because they were grabbing me off the ball, grabbing my shirt, and he didn't call a foul," he told TNT Sports. The match was part of both teams' preparations for the World Cup, which will be hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada. In this context, the team managed by Javier Aguirre continues to fine-tune details within a group that includes South Africa, South Korea, and a European opponent yet to be determined. On the pitch, Portugal had greater control of the ball and created the clearest opportunities, although lacking precision in their finishing. During the first half, the European team came close to scoring on several occasions. Bruno Fernandes nearly opened the scoring in the 12th minute, but goalkeeper Jose Raul Rangel responded in time. Later, Goncalo Ramos hit the post with a shot in the 26th minute, while Samuel Costa tried his luck from distance without success. This dominance was also reflected in possession, with 61% for Portugal compared to 39% for Mexico. Even so, the score remained unchanged before halftime. In the second half, both teams made numerous substitutions, which altered the rhythm of the game. Portugal maintained the initiative, with Vitinha orchestrating the midfield, but failed to capitalize. Mexico had their clearest opportunity in the final stages.In the 80th minute, Armando Gonzalez nearly scored with a header after a cross from Julian Quinones, in one of the few offensive plays by the home team. The end of the match was also marked by an incident in the stands, where a homophobic chant was heard from Mexican fans, though no intervention was reported at the time. Both teams will continue their preparations in the coming days. Portugal will face the United States, while Mexico will play against Belgium in the United States.