Paraguay Beats Mexico 2-1 in Final 2025 Friendly as World Cup Concerns Grow

Paraguay stunned Mexico 2-1 at the Alamodome on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, in a friendly that wasn’t just another exhibition — it was a wake-up call. With just over 200 days until the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, Mexico’s sixth straight winless match left fans uneasy. The loss, sealed by goals from Antonio Sanabria and Damián Bobadilla, came despite Raúl Jiménez equalizing from the penalty spot. For a team expected to carry the weight of a nation as co-host, this wasn’t just a defeat. It was a red flag.

What Happened on the Pitch?

1. 48th minute: Antonio Sanabria opened the scoring with a sharp finish after a quick counterattack.
2. 54th minute: Raúl Jiménez converted a penalty to tie it, his 27th goal for Mexico since 2021.
3. 56th minute: Damián Bobadilla pounced on a loose ball in the box and slotted it home — a goal that stunned the home crowd.

Mexico’s starting XI, under manager Javier Aguirre, featured a mix of veterans and youth: goalkeeper Malagón, defenders Chávez, Orozco, Álvarez, and Reyes, midfielders Ruiz, Lira, Mora, and Pineda, and forwards Jiménez and Ruvalcaba. Substitutes like Diego Lainez and Obed Vargas came on late, but the energy never shifted. Paraguay, led by manager Gustavo Alfaro, looked sharper in transition. Their defense held firm despite Mexico’s 62% possession — a stat that meant little when the final whistle blew.

Why This Loss Matters More Than the Scoreline

Mexico hasn’t won since the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final — nearly six months ago. Since then, they’ve drawn with Uruguay, lost to Japan, South Korea, Colombia, and Ecuador. This wasn’t a fluke. It was a pattern. The team’s midfield lacked rhythm. The fullbacks were caught out repeatedly. And when the pressure mounted, the final third looked lost.

"It’s not about the result," said one longtime Mexico supporter in San Antonio, wiping his face after the match. "It’s about the lack of urgency. We’re hosting the World Cup. We should be building momentum, not losing to teams we used to beat comfortably." Paraguay, meanwhile, had its own struggles — a 1-0 loss to Bolivia just weeks earlier and a 2-2 draw with Chile. But on this night, they looked like the more organized side. Gustavo Alfaro’s system, built on compact defending and quick counters, exposed Mexico’s high line. The fact that Sanabria, who plays in Italy’s Serie B, scored the opener? That’s the kind of detail that haunts national teams.

How Fans Watched — And Where to Find Future Matches

In the U.S., the match was broadcast on TUDN USA, Univision, and Fox Deportes. Streaming options included ViX, the Fox Sports App, Fubo (with its $33/month Latino Package), and DirecTV Stream. Fubo’s package includes ESPN, beIN SPORTS, and CBS Sports Network — a rare bundle that makes it a go-to for Spanish-language football fans.

In Mexico, viewers tuned in to Canal 5, Azteca 7, and TUDN, with streaming available via Azteca Deportes and ViX. Peacock Premium was mentioned in some reports, but it’s unclear if it carried the match — a reminder that streaming rights remain fragmented, even for major CONCACAF matchups.

World Cup Context: Hosting Doesn’t Mean Automatic Excellence

Mexico qualified automatically as a host, alongside the United States and Canada. Paraguay earned their spot through CONMEBOL qualifying — finishing fifth in a brutal group that included Brazil and Argentina. That’s the difference: one team got in by default. The other had to fight.

"Hosting the World Cup doesn’t guarantee success," said former U.S. national team player and analyst Clint Dempsey in a post-match analysis for ESPN. "It guarantees pressure. Mexico has the talent. But talent without cohesion, without identity, without a clear game plan? That’s a recipe for disappointment." The 2026 World Cup draw for European qualifiers — set for Thursday, November 20, 2025, at FIFA Headquarters in Zurich — was already on the minds of fans. But for Mexico, the real draw is the one they’ll face in their own backyard. Group stage opponents? Still unknown. But the questions about their readiness? Very clear.

What’s Next for Mexico?

With the 2026 World Cup less than seven months away, Mexico’s next official matches are the 2026 World Cup qualifiers for CONCACAF — but they don’t start until March 2026. That means a long, quiet stretch ahead. Javier Aguirre has said he’ll use friendlies against African and Asian teams to test formations. But time is running out. The team needs to find a striker who can score in open play, not just from penalties. They need a central midfielder who can dictate tempo. And most of all, they need belief.

The FMF State of Mind report nailed it: "This loss raises alarm bells." And for a country where football is religion, that’s not just a headline. It’s a prayer.