MEXICO CITY — Mexico had a strong chance to make a historic run in the World Cup, but the team fell short against England on Sunday night. Despite the home-field advantage with 80,824 fans at Estadio Azteca, and playing with a man advantage for a majority of the second half, Mexico lost in a close match, 3-2. Up until this match, Mexico had not conceded a goal in the tournament but struggled to contain Jude Bellingham, who scored twice within less than two minutes in the first half.
“To dream and then fall like this hurts deeply, but the players should leave with their heads held high,” coach Javier Aguirre said. “They gave it their all on the pitch, but it wasn’t meant to be today. The fans had high hopes, and we couldn’t get the job done and give them another night of joy.”
Although Mexico progressed further than their group-stage exit in Qatar in 2022, the loss was a disappointment for fans hoping for the first quarterfinal appearance since 1986 when Mexico last hosted the World Cup. The team has now been eliminated in the round of 16 eight times since then.
Javier Aguirre will step down after his third time coaching Mexico. Rafael Marquez, a former Barcelona defender and assistant coach, will take over. Aguirre expressed pride in his statement:
“These five matches are unforgettable. I am saying goodbye to the Estadio Azteca and leaving with great pride after so many years,” Aguirre mentioned. “Rafa is a great kid, a valuable coach and he is going to show it. Hopefully he is going to do it better than me.”
Mexico’s loss marked their third competitive defeat at Estadio Azteca since its opening in 1966, with previous losses to Costa Rica in 2001 and Honduras in 2013.
Fans like Ramiro Caballero expressed disappointment: “I am sad, we had everything to win the match. (England) did not play well, they had five shots on goal and scored three,” said the 44-year-old businessman. “It was the perfect scenario to take the next step and now we must wait for that victory.”
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