Mexico's national football team has once again faced disappointment, exiting a major tournament at the group stage, this time in the 2022 World Cup. A familiar pattern for the team, the early exit has intensified the scrutiny on both management and players as the nation looks ahead to hosting the World Cup in just two years.
The recent performance of the Mexican squad on the international stage has been underwhelming. Over the past year and a half, the team has had two unspectacular outings in the Concacaf Nations League. Despite those setbacks, a glimmer of hope emerged when Jaime Lozano, initially appointed as interim coach, led the team to victory in the Concacaf Gold Cup and secured the full-time coaching position.
However, the inability to advance from the group stage in the Copa America further highlights the challenges facing Lozano and his team. Needing a decisive win against Ecuador to progress to the quarterfinals, Mexico dominated possession and created multiple chances but ultimately fell short. They controlled nearly 60% of the ball and outshot Ecuador 19-9, but their efforts were in vain, managing their first shot on target only in the 65th minute. Despite their dominance, they generated just 0.86 expected goals in the match and scored only one goal over their three Copa America games, against an expected goals tally of 4.71.
Defensively, the team might find some solace in conceding just one goal during the Copa America group stage. However, the lack of clinical finishing in front of goal continues to be a significant concern. Notably absent is a high-scoring forward, with no player on the current squad having more than 13 international goals.
Santiago Gimenez's performance in Europe with Feyenoord offers a stark contrast to his international outings. Gimenez netted 26 goals and provided eight assists in a stellar season for his club, but he has managed just four goals in 30 appearances for the Mexican national team. This discrepancy in form underlines the pressing need for the coaching staff to find a way to translate club success into international performance.
The pressure on the team is palpable, as fan expectations continue to rise. As Mexico prepares to host the World Cup, the national team's recent performances have only ratcheted up the level of scrutiny. The spotlight is now firmly on Lozano and his squad to make significant improvements and harness the potential evident in flashes throughout their recent campaigns.
With the clock ticking towards the 2026 World Cup, Mexico's football authorities and coaching staff face a critical juncture. There is an evident need for strategic changes and perhaps a deeper look into the footballing infrastructure to ensure the team can compete at the highest levels consistently. Only time will tell if Lozano can turn the tide and steer Mexico to a more prosperous future on the world stage.