After what might have been an important recreation within the ’s historical past, coach Javier Aguirre hugged every of his 26 gamers.
The embraces weren’t to have fun a victory. They have been hugs of gratitude, encouragement and, above all, resignation.
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Minutes earlier, the gamers paraded round Azteca Stadium — historically an impenetrable fortress — to applaud El Tri followers with tears of their eyes. , extinguishing the hope that it may parlay its World Cup co-host position into the deepest event run within the nation’s historical past.
The aim was to advance to the quarterfinals for the primary time since 1986 and, above all, to point out the world that Mexican soccer lastly had taken the leap that had been demanded for thus lengthy — defeating a previous world champion, England, that hadn’t regarded notably dominant. However actuality, as soon as once more, hit onerous because the loss grew to become Mexico’s eighth defeat within the spherical of 16 since 1994.
This time, Mexico had the help of its followers, taking part in on house soil. And it wasn’t sufficient.
“I’m happy with the work we’ve carried out, however whenever you lose — and I’ve misplaced rather a lot in my profession — you by no means fairly recover from it,” Aguirre stated. “It’s very painful as a result of dreaming provides us hope; dropping this manner hurts rather a lot.”
Mexico followers present their help earlier than their staff confronted England in a Spherical of 16 World Cup match at Azteca Stadium on July 5. (Richard Pelham / Getty Photos)
After weeks of celebrations following wins over , , Czechia and , Mexico failed the check towards England, ranked fourth on the earth. El Tri dominated possession however couldn’t convert it into objectives, whereas the English have been medical, led by , , , and goalkeeper .
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For Aguirre, the loss reopened a well-known wound. Within the 2002, Mexico misplaced 2-0 to a U.S. squad led by in what many contemplate essentially the most painful defeat within the nation’s World Cup historical past. This defeat to England very effectively may rival it.
“I’d have preferred to win 5 video games, to go away house with 5 victories. That hurts — it hurts rather a lot,” Aguirre stated. “A loss is a loss. Our opponent didn’t make the identical errors we did.”
Judging Aguirre solely on the top of this World Cup run can be simplistic given what he inherited. Two years in the past, he was requested to steer the struggling staff for the third time. When he arrived, Mexico was ranked seventeenth on the earth and had not gained the Nations League. He leaves with Mexico ranked within the high 10 and as Nations League champion and two-time defending Gold Cup champion.
This World Cup wasn’t the catastrophe that was 4 years in the past, when Mexico was eradicated within the group stage. This summer season, Mexico secured its first knockout-round victory since 1986, superior to a fifth World Cup match for the second time and swept three video games throughout the group stage with out conceding a aim — one thing no different Mexican staff achieved.
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In 22 months on the helm — having taken over in 2024 following Jaime Lozano’s failure on the Copa América, the place Mexico didn’t advance previous the group stage — Aguirre achieved one thing that went past the scoreboard by uniting gamers beforehand accused of getting an excessive amount of ego and preferring to not sacrifice to assist the staff.
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At this World Cup, that squad gave its all — physique and soul — and rebuilt a relationship with the followers that had appeared damaged because the 2024 Copa América. 1000’s of followers stuffed the Ángel de la Independencia, the Zócalo and different squares throughout the nation, in addition to watch events in cities like Los Angeles.
“We managed to revive the pleasure of being a part of the nationwide staff — for the nationwide anthem and for its individuals. It’s a privilege to be right here, and so they comprehend it,” Aguirre stated of his gamers. “I believe we’ve returned to a Mexican identification.”
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Inexperienced jerseys have been seen throughout Mexico as individuals put aside their variations to cheer on El Tri.
“Mexico was one of the best host of the three. It had one of the best environment — it’s a rustic that actually loves soccer,” Metropolis native Santiago Mondragón stated earlier than the England match.
Mexico had standout and impressed performances from , and , however its lineup struggled to maintain tempo with English gamers educated at elite European golf equipment.
Mora, simply 17 years previous and with large potential, made a mistake on the play resulting in England’s second aim. Alvarado, who offered sturdy passes to Raúl Jiménez and was stable in protection all through the event, misplaced monitor of Bellingham on the primary aim. , who was excellent towards South Korea and who three years in the past was taking part in for Tapatío within the Mexican enlargement league, stepped too far ahead on the penalty kick that sealed the match, minutes after an English participant was despatched off within the second half. Edson Álvarez, who didn’t have a very good season with Turkey’s Fenerbahce due to an damage, obtained little taking part in time and made a severe mistake marking Kane, which led to Gordon’s breakaway on the play that resulted within the penalty kick.
Following the loss, many in Mexico nonetheless are questioning why, regardless of having a one-man benefit for 36 minutes —plus 11 minutes of stoppage time — the staff was unable to tie England. Aguirre changed Mora and goal-scorer Julián Quiñones, bringing on an attacking lineup that targeted on sending in crosses, which the English protection simply cleared.
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Whereas it’s potential a number of adjustments may have shifted the match in Mexico’s favor, there have been limits to how a lot the technical employees may get out of the roster.
El Tri lacks ample depth to assemble a very aggressive 26-man roster, as gamers reminiscent of Álvarez and didn’t arrive at their finest kind, and gamers reminiscent of Brian Gutiérrez weren’t prepared for the stress of a event of this magnitude, in want of extra time to develop.
Mexico lacked game-changing gamers able to breaking down tight defenses — the position performed in 2018 or in 2014. The dearth of creativity that confirmed towards in 2022 flared up late towards England.
Due to Jiménez and Quiñones, the staff did present firepower, scoring 10 objectives in 5 matches, nevertheless it lacked depth to interrupt down a well-organized English protection.
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The expertise pool has been hindered by the Mexico membership system.
Mexico’s Julián Quiñones is tossed within the air by teammates as they have fun a Spherical of 32 World Cup win over Ecuador at Azteca Stadium on June 30. (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Photos)
Liga MX house owners keep a slim view of home soccer, prioritizing overseas signings over the event of native gamers and promotion and relegation stay abolished — eradicating aggressive stress that’s the spine of English leagues.
High Mexican gamers proceed to be overvalued by their house golf equipment, which makes it troublesome for European golf equipment to signal them when there are cheaper choices with extra spectacular résumés.
“This was the chance; that’s why it’s irritating, that’s why it’s unhappy,” Mexican journalist Javier Alarcón stated of El Tri’s World Cup exit. “With the Mexican federation and its house owners, there isn’t a lot hope.”
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, a former star and one of many best gamers in Mexican nationwide staff historical past, is succeeding Aguirre after serving as one among his assistant coaches. Márquez has shaped an in depth bond with gamers, who tossed the 47-year-old former defender within the air after one among their World Cup wins, and is aware of all the explanations Mexico continues to hit the identical World Cup wall.
“Rafa is a superb man, a terrific coach,” stated Aguirre, who famous that the staff’s common age has dropped and that increasingly gamers are taking part in in Europe. “Hopefully he can do higher than we have been capable of.”
This story initially appeared in .