Mexico falls to Sweden in friendly ahead of World Cup

April 27, 2024

Mexico’s men’s national soccer team fell to Sweden 2-1 in a final international friendly before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Here’s what you need to know:

The score was tied for most of the match, with Swedish midfielder Marcus Christer Rohdén opening the scoring in the 54th minute, which was followed by an Alexis Vega goal six minutes later for Mexico.
A Mattias Svanberg goal in the 84th minute, however, sealed the win for Sweden.
The last time the teams met was the last World Cup when Sweden scored a 3-0 victory.

Backstory

Sweden has a history of success against Mexico, earning their fourth win against the nation and third in a row against Tata Martino’s El Tri in six competitions. Mexico last defeated Sweden in a friendly in February 1994.

Is this loss a concern for Mexico?

It’s not terribly concerning because Mexico wasn’t outplayed by the Swedes. Martino’s game plan looked to be on point, but a breakdown in defensive transition and poor defending from a set piece led to Sweden’s two goals. However, the timing of the loss will sting. Mexico dominated possession (65% vs. 35%), had more total shots (13 vs. 7) and more shots on target (7 vs. 2) than Sweden, but found a way to lose the game.

Poland will concede possession as well, so Mexico must be more clinical in front of goal in order to avoid a repeat performance on November 22. — Cardenas

Was that a possible starting XI for Poland?

Not quite, but close. Mexico began the game with the following players:

Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, defender Jorge Sanchez, defender Cesar Montes, defender Hector Moreno, defender Jesus Gallardo, midfielder Carlos Rodriguez, midfielder Hector Herrera, midfielder Luis Chavez, forward Uriel Antuna, center forward Henry Martin, and forward Alexis Vega.

The four-man backline that started against Sweden, plus Ochoa in goal, are first-choice players. It’s very likely that Martino chooses those same players to start against Poland on November 22 at the Stadium 974 in Doha. Mexico were fairly solid defensively until Martino swapped Moreno for Johan Vazquez and Montes for Araujo.

Mexico dropped their intensity and Sweden scored the opener in the 54th minute from a goal in transition. In midfield, Martino continues to give Houston Dynamo player Hector Herrera the bulk of the minutes over likely starter Edson Alvarez. Herrera had assisted Mexico’s lone goal, a surgical through pass to Vega six minutes after conceded. Alvarez is the better holding midfielder and should feature against Poland.

Finally up front, Antuna will be replaced by Hirving Lozano versus Poland, and Vega will most certainly start on the opposite wing. Martin was given the nod over Raul Jimenez at the No. 9 and was not a factor after 45 minutes of play. Jimenez looked fit but he was noticeably rusty, which leaves the center forward position as the team’s biggest question mark ahead of the World Cup. — Cardenas

Required reading

(Photo: Omar Vega / Getty Images)

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