Mexico

Mexico open their Concacaf Nations League Final Four campaign against Panama in the semi-finals at the AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, in what is a rematch of the 2023 Gold Cup final, which Mexico won 1-0.

What to expect

To qualify for the Nations League final four, Mexico had to overcome a 2-0 deficit from their first away leg in Honduras. Having levelled the aggregate at 2-2 in Mexico City they went on to win 4-2 on penalties.

The Nations League, only in its third edition, has not been a happy hunting ground for Mexico.

In the opening edition’s final at the Mile High Stadium in Denver, they lost in extra time to a Christian Pulisic goal for the US, having only given away their lead at the end of regulation time.

In the 2023 edition in Las Vegas, they were convincingly beaten by the US 3-0 in a bad tempered but all-action encounter in the semi-final with the US. They went on to beat Panama for the third place position, but it wasn’t enough to save Argentine coach Diego Cocca who was subjected to a fierce barrage of criticism from the Mexican press and public.

Jaime ‘Jimmy’ Lozano was drafted in as interim coach for the 2023 Gold Cup and immediately turned the Mexican fortunes around, turning the losing team of the Nations League into a winning one just over a month later.

For the 2024 Nations League Lozano has stuck with his core players – a mix of locally-based players and ones who are at European clubs. 14 of the squad were with Mexico at the 2022 World Cup.

Experience is at the heart of Lozano’s midfield with six players each having more than 40 caps. Up front is more of a problem with Mexico having acquired a habit of missing multiple chances in games they dominate.

Club America’s Henry Martin scores freely in Liga MX but has yet to replicate that form for the national team. Orbelin Pineda (AEK Athens) and Uriel Antuna on the wings will supply good opportunities for the main strikers as well as having decent goal return rates themselves, but Mexico really need their strikers to find a hot run of form.

Club America’s Henry Martin scores freely in Liga MX but has yet to replicate that strike rate for the national team. Hirving Lozano (PSV) is coming off a good season in Europe.

Wolves striker Rául Jiménez has been omitted having only recently returned from a hamstring injury.

Perhaps the biggest challenge for Mexico could still be the behaviour of their supporters who are likely to pack the AT&T Stadium. Any re-occurrence of the ‘Puto’ chant will be swiftly dealt with by match officials.

Players to watch

West Ham midfielder Edson Alvarez, under investigation by England’s FA for suspected betting offences, is in good form in the Premier League and with 74 caps to his name is a leader on the field in his vice captaincy.

Goalkeeper and Mexico captain Guillermo Ochoa, aged 38 and with 148 caps, has long been a legend in the Mexican game and a fan favourite.  If his reactions may have slowed a little from his youth, his positional play, ability to make crucial saves and commitment to the national cause haven’t.

At the other end of the age scale at 22 is Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez. Due an extended run in the starting line up, he has scored 36 goals in 57 matches for his club and could be the gamebreaker that Mexico is looking for.

Head coach

Jaime Arturo “Jimmy” Lozano Espín is a former Mexican national team player turned manager. Having spent the majority of his playing career with Club Universidad Nacional, he also had spells at Tigres UNAL and Cruz Azul. He played 34 times for his country scoring 12 goals.

Lozano had a three-year spell with the Mexican U23 team from 2018 before taking over at Liga MX side Necaxa. However, with the sacking of Diego Cocca in 2023 he was called back to the national set up to manage the senior team, only to be recalled to manage the full national side, being given the job full time in August 2023 after winning the Gold Cup.

Schedule

March 21 vs Panama, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas 7.15pm

March 24 vs either USA or Jamaica in 3^rd place decider or final, Arlington, 3pm or 6.15pm

Squad