The Mexican national team couldn't have ended its 2025 international campaign in a worse way than with a regrettable 1-2 defeat to Paraguay, which could have been a scandalous stumble were it not for the performance of Club America's goalkeeper, Luis Malagon, who at least prevented three more goals in the match played at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

It is true that the result is the least important thing and that the performance of the team led by Javier Aguirre should be judged, but the reality is that the Mexican team, except for the first half, was the victim of a better footballing display by the Paraguayans for the rest of the match.

To make matters worse, the Mexican team has now gone six games without a win, something they haven't achieved since the Gold Cup final last July when they beat the United States. Since then, they have drawn with Japan 0-0, South Korea 2-2, Ecuador 1-1, and Uruguay 0-0, while losing to Colombia 4-0 and now Paraguay 1-2, once again showing serious doubts about their performance.

Aguirre made seven changes compared to the game against Uruguay, starting with the goalkeeper position, where Luis Malagon came in for Tala Rangel, and Erick Lira for Johan Vazquez, Jesus Orozco for Cesar Montes, Mateo Chavez for Jesus Gallardo, Gilberto Mora for Erick Sanchez, Orbelin Pineda for Roberto Alvarado, and Jorge Ruvalcaba for Hirving Lozano.

These changes didn't make much of an impact in the first half, but in the second half, Paraguay took the lead when, in a one-on-one situation, Antonio Sanabria beat Malagon to the ball, and it ended up in the back of the net, a cold shower for the Mexicans.

The Mexican team went forward looking to react, and they did so quickly when Orbelin Pineda broke down the right flank to the end line, where he was brought down in the 54th minute, resulting in a penalty. Raul Jimenez equalized the game 1-1.

But the joy was short-lived, because two minutes later, In a back-and-forth battle inside the Mexican penalty area,the defense and goalkeeper Malagon were caught out of position, allowing Damian Bobadilla to finish with ease in the box from a cross by Matias Galarza, burying the ball in the net past an unguarded goal.

Malagon's saves

Seeing themselves down on the scoreboard once again, coach Aguirre made several substitutions. With this change, Johan Vazquez replaced Chiquete Orozco, Kevin Alvarez replaced Israel Reyes, Jesus Gallardo replaced Mateo Chavez, Erick Sanchez replaced Marcel Ruiz, Armando Gonzalez replaced Gilberto Mora, and Roberto Alvarado replaced Jorge Ruvalcaba. But instead of strengthening Mexico's performance, it allowed the Paraguayans to organize three counter-attacks that forced Malagon to risk his body to save his goal and thus prevent the Tricolor from being thrashed by at least two more goals. Mexico closes the year with adverse results and many doubts. The team has only six confirmed matches before their World Cup debut on June 11 at Estadio Azteca. Two of these will be against Central American teams already qualified for the international playoffs, likely two more in March during the FIFA international window against Portugal and Belgium, as well as two more in the days leading up to the World Cup, one of which will be against Argentina.