Mexico vs Paraguay — Match Preview
This is a crisis match for Mexico. El Tri enters their final game of 2025 at the Alamodome in San Antonio winless in their last five, facing a storm of fan frustration and critical injuries to their star attackers.1 The pressure on manager Javier Aguirre is immense after a flat 0-0 draw against Uruguay, a match where fans booed their own team.2
Paraguay, meanwhile, arrives as a dangerous and organized opponent. While they lost their last friendly 2-1 to the USA, La Albirroja looked sharp in attack, with their Premier League stars Miguel Almirón and Julio Enciso in fine form. They know Mexico is vulnerable.
This isn’t just a friendly. For Paraguay, it’s a chance to secure a major scalp. For Mexico, it’s a desperate fight for a single victory to silence the critics and avoid ending a “home” tour in complete disarray.
Mexico vs Paraguay — Quick Match Info
- Fixture: Mexico vs. Paraguay
- Competition: International Friendly (MexTour)
- Venue: Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas3
- Date: 18 November 20254
- Time: 01:00 UTC (19 Nov) / 06:30 IST (19 Nov)
- Prediction: Mexico 1-1 Paraguay
- Key Narrative: A wounded and booed Mexico, missing its star forwards, desperately needs a win against a dangerous, full-strength Paraguay.
Mexico vs Paraguay — What’s at Stake
- For Mexico: Everything. This is about pride, pressure, and momentum. A sixth straight match without a win would be a disaster, sending the team, fans, and media into a panic heading into the World Cup year. A win is the only way to quiet the “Aguirre out” talk.
- For Paraguay: This is a massive opportunity. They are at full strength, facing a top-tier opponent who is injured and under immense psychological pressure. A win or even a draw on “Mexican soil” in San Antonio would be a huge statement of intent.
Mexico vs Paraguay — Team Form
Mexico (Last 5): D-D-L-D-D
- Winless in 5. The pressure is at a boiling point.
- Recent 0-0 draw vs. Uruguay.
- Recent 1-1 draw vs. Ecuador.
- Recent 0-4 loss vs. Colombia.
- Have not won a match since the Gold Cup final.
Paraguay (Last 5): L-L-D-W-D
- Recent 1-2 loss vs. USA (Looked dangerous in defeat).
- Recent 0-2 loss vs. South Korea.
- Recent 2-2 draw vs. Japan.
- Showed their quality with a 1-0 win over Peru.
Mexico vs Paraguay — Team News
Mexico — Team News
- OUT: Santiago Gimenez (FW). The Feyenoord striker is out of the camp with an injury.
- MAJOR DOUBT: Hirving “Chucky” Lozano (FW). The team’s star winger was forced off with a muscle injury in the 0-0 draw with Uruguay. He is highly unlikely to be risked in this match.
- IMPACT: With their two biggest attacking stars gone, the pressure now falls on veteran Raúl Jiménez and the 17-year-old phenom Gilberto Mora, who looked electric after replacing Lozano.
Paraguay — Team News
- FULL STRENGTH: Paraguay has their “A-Team” available.
- IN FORM: Miguel Almirón (FW) was brilliant against the USA, providing a perfect assist for Álex Arce (FW), who scored.5
- READY: Julio Enciso (FW) is fit and will be a key part of their counter-attack.
Mexico vs Paraguay — Predicted Lineups
Mexico (4-3-3)
- GK: Malagón
- DEF: J. Sánchez, Montes, Vásquez, Gallardo
- MID: E. Álvarez, Luis Chávez, Erick Sánchez
- FW: Antuna, Jiménez, Mora(Note: 17-year-old Gilberto Mora is expected to start in place of the injured Lozano).
Paraguay (4-2-3-1)
- GK: Coronel
- DEF: Ramírez, Gómez, Alderete, Espinoza
- MID: Cubas, Villasanti
- AMC: Almirón, Enciso, Sosa
- FW: Arce
Mexico vs Paraguay — Spotlight Players
- Gilberto Mora (Mexico): The 17-year-old.6 With Lozano and Gimenez out, he is no longer just “one to watch”—he is now the team’s primary hope for creativity. He looked unfazed against Uruguay and will be the focal point.
- Edson Álvarez (Mexico): The captain. In a stadium full of frustrated fans, his leadership will be more important than his tackling. He must control the midfield and shield a nervous backline.
- Miguel Almirón (Paraguay): The engine of the team. His pace on the counter-attack against Mexico’s high line will be Paraguay’s single greatest weapon. He created a goal out of nothing against the USA.
- Julio Enciso (Paraguay): The Brighton star.7 His 1v1 flair and ability to drift between the lines will be a “nightmare” (as he was called vs. the USA) for Mexico’s midfield and full-backs.
Mexico vs Paraguay — Head to Head
Mexico has historically dominated this fixture, but Paraguay has closed the gap in recent years and won the last meeting.
- Total Matches: 21
- Mexico Wins: 11
- Paraguay Wins: 5
- Draws: 5
- Last Match: Paraguay 1–0 Mexico (Aug 31, 2022)8
Mexico vs Paraguay — Tactical Outlook
Mexico Tactical Approach
- Possession with No Punch: Expect Mexico to dominate the ball (60-65% possession), as they did against Uruguay.
- The Problem: Without Lozano and Gimenez, they have no one to make runs in behind or finish chances. The offense will run through Gilberto Mora, but it may be slow and predictable.
- Weakness: Psychological fragility. If Paraguay scores first, the “boos” from their own fans (as striker Raúl Jiménez pointed out) could cause the team to collapse.
Paraguay Tactical Approach
- Alfaro’s 4-2-3-1 Counter: Manager Gustavo Alfaro will be happy to let Mexico have the ball. He will set up in a compact, organized defensive block.
- The Trap: Paraguay will defend deep and then spring their counter-attack, using the blistering pace of Almirón and the skill of Enciso to target the space Mexico’s full-backs leave behind.
- Strength: They are full-strength, confident, and playing with zero pressure.
Mexico vs Paraguay — Key Battles
| Matchup | Battle Type | Edge |
| Jiménez (MEX) vs. Gómez (PAR) | Physicality & Box Control | Paraguay |
| Mora (MEX) vs. Cubas (PAR) | Creativity vs. Defensive Mid | Even |
| Almirón (PAR) vs. Gallardo (MEX) | Pace vs. Positioning | Paraguay |
| Mexican Fans vs. Mexican Team | Psychological | Paraguay |
Mexico vs Paraguay — Statistical Snapshot
| Metric | Mexico | Paraguay |
| FIFA Ranking | 14 | 43 |
| Current Form (Last 5) | D-D-L-D-D (Winless) | L-L-D-W-D (Inconsistent) |
| Goals Scored (Last 5) | 3 | 5 |
| Goals Conceded (Last 5) | 7 | 7 |
| Key Trend | Mexico has failed to score in 2 of its last 5 matches. | Paraguay has scored in 3 of its last 5 matches. |
Mexico vs Paraguay — Fan Reactions
Mexico Fans:
- “Winless in 5? Fire Aguirre NOW!”
- “I’m more excited to watch Gilberto Mora than the rest of the team.”
- “Raúl Jiménez is right to call out the fans. But the team gives us nothing to cheer for. It’s a 0-0 or 1-0 loss.”
Paraguay Fans:
- “We looked fast and dangerous against the USA. Mexico is slow and nervous.”
- “Almirón is going to have a field day with their defence.”
- “This is our game to win. A 2-1 victory for Albirroja!”
Mexico vs Paraguay — Where to Watch
- USA (English): Fox Deportes
- USA (Spanish): TelevisaUnivision (TUDN)9
- Mexico: Televisa, TV Azteca
- India: (No confirmed broadcast, likely not available)
- Paraguay: Tigo Sports
Mexico vs Paraguay — Match-Defining Factors
- Mexico’s Attack… or Lack Of: Can a 17-year-old (Mora) and a veteran (Jiménez) create enough to score? The entire game rests on this.
- Paraguay’s Counter-Attack: This is the game’s biggest mismatch. Almirón and Enciso’s pace against a slow, nervous Mexican backline is a recipe for a goal.
- The Crowd: The Alamodome will be 99% pro-Mexico, but they are an angry, frustrated crowd. If Mexico doesn’t score early, the boos will return, and the “home” advantage will vanish.
- The First Goal: If Paraguay scores first, this match could get ugly for Mexico.
Mexico vs Paraguay — Prediction
Mexico 1–1 Paraguay
Why:
Mexico is desperate, but they are also injured and playing terribly. Their attack is missing its two most important players. Paraguay is at full strength, is dangerous on the counter, and has all the confidence.
Paraguay will score. The combination of Almirón and Enciso is too much for Mexico’s current form. However, playing in front of a 50,000+ home crowd, El Tri will find a way to scramble a late, ugly goal—likely from a set-piece—to salvage a draw. It won’t be the win they need, but it will be just enough to stop the complete meltdown.
Mexico vs Paraguay — Final Word
This is not a friendly. It is a psychological test. For Paraguay, it’s a chance to assert their dominance. For Mexico, it is a desperate fight for survival to stop a crisis from becoming a catastrophe. Expect a tense, foul-heavy, and dramatic 90 minutes.
Mexico vs Paraguay — FAQs
Q1: What time is the match?
The match is on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. Kickoff is 7:00 PM (CST), which is 6:30 AM IST on Wednesday, November 19.
Q2: Who is missing for Mexico?
Star forwards Santiago Gimenez and Hirving “Chucky” Lozano are both out with injuries.
Q3: Who won the last match?
Paraguay beat Mexico 1-0 in their last meeting in August 2022.10
Q4: Is this a World Cup qualifier?
No, it is an international friendly. Both teams have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup.
Q5: Key players to watch?
For Mexico: Gilberto Mora (17-year-old) and Edson Álvarez. For Paraguay: Miguel Almirón and Julio Enciso.
Call to Action — SportsphereArena Community
If you enjoyed this preview, follow SportsphereArena.com for post-match ratings, tactical deep dives, and exclusive fan analysis.
Stay connected for real-time updates across football, tennis, and cricket.
Stay informed. Stay analytical. Stay in the game — with Sportsphere Arena.
RELATED ARTICLE
Kazakhstan vs Belgium — Preview
Independiente Medellín vs América de Cali — Preview
Azerbaijan vs France — Preview
Colombia vs New Zealand —Preview
External Link
About the Author
