Paraguay Stuns Mexico 2-1 in San Antonio Friendly as World Cup Prep Continues
When the final whistle blew at the Alamodome on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, it wasn’t the home crowd’s team celebrating. Paraguay walked out with a 2-1 victory over Mexico—a result that felt less like a friendly and more like a warning shot. The match, played under chilly San Antonio skies at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time, was Mexico’s last outing before the 2026 World Cup, and it extended their winless streak to six games since the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final. For a nation that once dominated CONCACAF, the signs are mounting: fatigue, tactical confusion, and a growing sense of unease.
How the Match Unfolded
It didn’t take long for the visitors to make their presence felt. At the 48th minute, Antonio Sanabria broke through Mexico’s sluggish defense, slotting home a low finish past goalkeeper Luis Malagón. The goal stunned the mostly Mexican-supporting crowd—many of whom had traveled from across the border. Then, just six minutes later, Damián Bobadilla doubled Paraguay’s lead with a crisp counterattack finish, leaving the Mexico national team reeling.
Mexico responded with urgency. At the 54th minute, Raúl Jiménez converted a penalty after a handball in the box, sparking brief hope. But the equalizer never came. The home side’s midfield, led by Héctor Herrera and Carlos Rodríguez, looked disjointed. Coach Javier Aguirre made six substitutions in the final 30 minutes, but the energy never returned. Paraguay, under Gustavo Alfaro, held firm. Their defense, often criticized, was disciplined. Their counterattacks, brutal.
Why This Loss Matters More Than It Seems
It’s easy to write off friendlies. But this one wasn’t just a tune-up. Mexico hadn’t won since July—losing to Japan, South Korea, Colombia, Ecuador, and Uruguay. That’s five straight defeats. The draw against Uruguay the week before offered a sliver of hope. This? This felt like a collapse.
Meanwhile, Paraguay, often overlooked in international circles, showed they’re far from done. Their last three matches had ended in draws or narrow losses. But here, in Texas, they played with purpose. As Sports Illustrated noted, both teams were struggling—but only one showed up ready to win. And that’s the troubling takeaway for Mexican fans: quality isn’t enough if intensity isn’t there.
The Mexico national team is qualified for the 2026 World Cup, as are Paraguay and every other team in this match. But qualification doesn’t guarantee survival. In Group B—likely to include the United States, Brazil, and Serbia—Mexico needs to find form fast. They’re not just playing for pride anymore. They’re playing to avoid an early exit.
How Fans Watched Around the World
For U.S. viewers, the match was available on TUDN USA, Univision, and Fox Deportes. Streaming options included ViX and the Fox Sports App. Fubo offered a free trial with the tagline: "Watch Mexico vs Paraguay with Fubo for $0 Today." Plans start at $84.99/month, though regional restrictions apply.
In Mexico, fans tuned into Canal 5, Azteca 7, and TUDN, with live streams via Azteca Deportes and ViX. Attendance was strong—over 52,000 fans packed the Alamodome, many waving flags and chanting even after the final whistle.
What’s Next: The Road to 2026
Just two days after this match, on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 7 a.m. Eastern Time, FIFA Headquarters in Zurich hosted the inter-confederation playoff draw. The winners of those playoffs—scheduled for March 23–31, 2026—will claim the final two World Cup spots. Mexico won’t be in them. But they’ll be watching. Because the two venues chosen for those playoffs? Estadio Akron in Guadalajara and Estadio BBVA in Monterrey. The same stadiums that will host World Cup matches.
That’s not coincidence. It’s a message. Mexico is still a host nation. But will they be relevant on their own soil?
Behind the Lines: Coaching, Chemistry, and Crisis
Coach Javier Aguirre, 63, has been with the team since 2024. He’s a veteran—led Mexico to the 2019 Gold Cup. But this cycle feels different. The squad is aging. Key players like Jiménez and Herrera are past their peak. New talent—like 19-year-old Obed Vargas and Fidel Ambríz—is being thrown into fire without proper development time.
And the pressure? It’s crushing. Fans still remember the 2018 World Cup upset loss to Sweden. They remember the 2022 defeat to Saudi Arabia. Now, they’re wondering: Is this the beginning of a new dark age?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Mexico lose despite having more possession?
Mexico controlled the ball for 58% of the match, but Paraguay’s defense was compact and well-organized, forcing Mexico into wide, ineffective attacks. Paraguay’s counterattacks were precise, and Mexico’s midfield lacked the energy to recover. Key players like Héctor Herrera and Carlos Rodríguez were isolated, and the fullbacks were repeatedly exposed—especially on the left flank where Jesús Angulo struggled to track back.
How does this result affect Mexico’s World Cup chances?
Mexico is already qualified, so this loss doesn’t change their spot. But it raises serious questions about their readiness. In Group B—likely featuring the U.S., Brazil, and Serbia—they’ll need to win at least one match to advance. Without improved defensive structure and midfield cohesion, they risk an early exit. The last time Mexico lost five straight games before a World Cup? 1994. They didn’t make it past the group stage.
Who scored the goals in the Mexico vs. Paraguay match?
Paraguay’s Antonio Sanabria opened the scoring in the 48th minute, followed by Damián Bobadilla in the 56th. Mexico’s only goal came from Raúl Jiménez on a penalty kick in the 54th minute. Sanabria, who plays for Sassuolo in Serie A, was the standout performer, while Bobadilla’s goal was a textbook counterattack finish off a long ball from goalkeeper Carlos Salcedo.
Where will the 2026 World Cup inter-confederation playoffs be held?
The two-legged inter-confederation playoff finals will be held at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara and Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico. Both venues are also official host stadiums for the 2026 World Cup. The draw for these playoffs took place on November 20, 2025, at FIFA Headquarters in Zurich, with the matches scheduled for March 23–31, 2026.
Can Mexico still turn things around before the World Cup?
Yes—but only if they play two more friendlies with urgency. They’re scheduled to face South Korea in December and Chile in January. Those are critical tune-ups. Aguirre must experiment with a 4-2-3-1 formation to give more support to Jiménez and Antuna. They also need to settle on a central defensive pairing. Right now, they’re rotating five different center-backs. That’s chaos, not preparation.
How did Paraguay manage to win despite their own recent struggles?
Paraguay entered the match with three draws and two losses in their last five games. But under coach Gustavo Alfaro, they’ve adopted a pragmatic, low-block style that’s hard to break down. They didn’t need to dominate—they needed to be clinical. And they were. Sanabria and Bobadilla capitalized on two rare chances. Their goalkeeper, Carlos Salcedo, made four crucial saves, including a point-blank stop on Uriel Antuna in the 78th minute. Sometimes, winning isn’t about style—it’s about timing.
