When the final whistle blew at a chilly, nearly empty stadium in San Antonio on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, it wasn’t just the end of Mexico’s last match of the year—it was the sound of growing panic. Mexico lost 2-1 to Paraguay, extending their winless streak to six straight games and casting a long shadow over their World Cup preparations. The defeat, sealed by a 56th-minute strike from Damián Bobadilla, wasn’t just another friendly loss. It was the latest chapter in a troubling pattern: promising starts, brittle finishes, and mounting doubt.

From Hope to Heartbreak in 8 Minutes

The match began with cautious energy. Mexico’s starting XI—featuring Raúl Jiménez up front and Luis Malagón between the posts—looked sharp in possession. But Paraguay, clinical and compact, struck first. In the 48th minute, Antonio Sanabria slipped past two defenders and fired low past Malagón. The goal wasn’t pretty, but it was efficient. Exactly the kind of moment that’s haunted Mexico all year.

Then came the turnaround. At 54’, José Pineda drove into the box, was clipped from behind, and the referee pointed to the spot. Jiménez stepped up. He didn’t just score—he *demolished* it. A stutter-step, then a blistering low drive to the left corner. The crowd—mostly Mexican expats—roared. 1-1. Hope flickered.

But in football, hope is fragile. Two minutes later, Paraguay broke again. A long ball over the top, a miscommunication between Jesús Orozco and Malagón, and Bobadilla was clean through. No hesitation. One touch to set it up. Another to bury it. 2-1. The stadium fell silent. The same script. Another late collapse.

A Pattern That Won’t Break

This isn’t the first time Mexico has led or leveled only to crumble. According to FMF State of Mind, this is the third time in their last six matches that El Tri has equalized, only to concede within 10 minutes. The pattern is chilling: solid first halves, sloppy second halves, and a defense that looks lost when the pressure rises. The team’s midfield—filled with talented but inexperienced players like Diego Lira and Uriel Mora—lacks the composure to control tempo under duress.

The stats don’t lie. Mexico has scored in all six of these matches. But they’ve conceded in five. Their goal difference over the streak: +1. That’s not a team building momentum. That’s a team holding its breath.

Even the substitutes couldn’t change the tide. Diego Lainez came on in the 67th minute. César Montes replaced Sebastián Álvarez at right-back. But the system didn’t adapt. The players didn’t react. The coaching staff, unnamed but under intense scrutiny, looked more like spectators than strategists.

Why San Antonio? Why Now?

Playing a final tune-up in San Antonio wasn’t random. The city has a massive Mexican-American population, and the Mexican Football Federation hoped to use home-field advantage to rally morale. Instead, the crowd of 21,400—mostly loyal fans—left with grim faces. As Express News reported, “The consecutive winless streak has created a sense of restlessness among fans with the World Cup on the horizon.”

This isn’t just about results. It’s about identity. Mexico hasn’t reached a World Cup semifinal since 1986. The current generation was born into that drought. Now, with the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico just months away, the pressure isn’t just on the players—it’s on the entire federation. The last time Mexico went winless in six straight matches? 2011. They didn’t make it past the Round of 16 that year.

What Experts Are Saying

“Jiménez is still elite,” said former Mexico captain Rafael Márquez in a post-match interview on Fox Deportes. “But he can’t carry this team alone. The midfield is too reactive. The defense is too slow to adjust. This isn’t a talent problem—it’s a structure problem.”

Analysts point to the lack of a true playmaker. No one in the squad consistently dictates tempo. The fullbacks push too high. The center-backs don’t communicate. And when the opposition presses—like Paraguay did in the final 20 minutes—Mexico panics.

Even the penalty routine was shaky. While Jiménez scored, the buildup was chaotic. As the Fox Deportes transcript noted, “PINEDA GETS IN BEHIND REALLY WELL. HE GOES DOWN AND THE PENALTY IS GIVEN.” That’s not control. That’s luck. And luck doesn’t win World Cups.

What’s Next for El Tri?

The next 90 days are critical. Mexico’s first World Cup match is on June 16, 2026, against Poland in Seattle. They need to find their rhythm before then. The federation has hinted at a January training camp in Spain, possibly including a friendly against Portugal or Belgium. But that’s not enough.

They need a new tactical identity. They need a captain who can command the locker room. They need to stop treating friendlies as glorified exhibitions. And most of all—they need to stop believing that one goal from Jiménez will fix everything.

Historical Context: When Did Mexico Last Struggle Like This?

Mexico’s last extended winless run of six or more matches came between 2011 and 2012, under coach José Manuel de la Torre. That team lost 4-0 to Brazil, 2-1 to the U.S., and 3-1 to Honduras in World Cup qualifiers. They barely qualified for the 2014 World Cup and were eliminated in the Round of 16.

The current squad is younger, more athletic. But they’re also more fragile. In 2011, Mexico had veterans like Rafael Márquez and Giovani dos Santos. Now, they have promise—but no proven leaders.

The difference? Back then, fans were frustrated. Now, they’re afraid.