Mexico battle back once again to get draw against Spain in U20 World Cup

Mexico did it again! Mexico bounced back after trailing to get a 2-2 tie against Spain in their second match of the 2025 U20 World Cup. Like in the first match, Mexico took a 1-0 lead only to eventually lose it and be trailing by 2-1 before a late goal gave them the 2-2 tie. Spain, who lost their opener, needed the victory and was the better team in the match but Mexico did well enough to earn the tie and climb to 2nd place in Group C with 2 points. Mexico will now face off against Morocco, who defeated Brazil and clinched the top spot in the group. A victory against Morocco would guarantee Mexico 2nd place in Group C and the ticket to the knockout stages of the World Cup.

The 1st half started with Mexico making two changes to the starting 11 from their opener against Brazil. Amaury Morales and Oswaldo Virgen made the starting 11 instead of Diego Sanchez and Tahiel Jimenez. Mexico’s goalkeeper, Emmanuel Ochoa, made a mistake by giving up the ball to Pablo Garcia, who got off a left footed lobbed shot into the empty net from way outside the area but the ball went over the net. A shot in the area by Iker Bravo went thru the hands of Ochoa and hit the post, bouncing back to Ochoa. Ochoa should have done better with the ball and had it gone in, it would have been a bad mistake for the keeper. Unsurprisingly Spain was the better team as Mexico was having trouble in the match although they started to get some dangerous counters. After getting into the area, Jan Virgili got past Rodrigo Pachuca and looked to be pushed which led the referee to call a Penalty Kick in favor of Spain. Mexico would get out the “green card” to protest and after going to the Review Request, the referee changed his decision and called back his PK decision. From outside the area, Virgili got off a right footed shot that went straight to Ochoa. A cross from Garcia would be cleared from close range by Diego Ochoa, before a Spanish player could get off a close range chance. Morales got into the area and got off a cross that went past Spain’s goalkeeper, Fran Gonzalez and to Virgen, who whiffed on his shot from close range and allowed Gonzalez to get to the ball in a bad miss although the play was called off as the ball had supposedly gone out before Morales could get off the cross (replays showed it was a bad call). From outside the area, Alexei Dominguez got off a great right footed shot that forced Gonzalez to make a great save. A wonderful combination play ended with Dominguez making a great thru pass in the area that found Gilberto Mora, who got off a right footed shot past Gonzalez to score and give Mexico the 1-0 lead. While Spain had been the better side in the first half, the goal came just as Mexico was having their best moment so far in the match. A cross into the area was volleyed wide by Bravo. After a couple of good passes, a wide open Pablo Garcia got off a great left footed shot from outside the area that went past Ochoa to score and give Spain the 1-1 tie. The halftime whistle blew and the match remained tie even when Spain had been the better team although Mexico had some very good minutes at times too.

The 2nd half started with Mexico subbing out Amaury Morales and Rodrigo Pachuca for Diego Sanchez and Cesar Bustos. In the first play of the match, a cross into the area from Dominguez was just out of reach of Virgen, who wasted a great close range opportunity by not reaching the ball. After winning the ball in the area, Bravo got off a right footed shot that forced Ochoa to make a great save but the ball still went past his arms but Diego Ochoa was able to clear the ball off the line with a header in an even better save. Mexico subbed out Alexei Dominguez and Obed Vargas for Hugo Camberos and Yael Padilla. Off a free kick, Mora got off a right footed shot that bounced of the face of Andres Cuenca, knocking him down and hurting him although he remained in the game. A ball headed into the area was lowered by Padilla and it looked like it was handled by Rayane Belaid before it was cleared. Mexico made a “green card” review but noting was given after the ref reviewed it. Spain subbed out Rayane Belaid and Thiago Pitarch for David Mella and Peio Canales. As Mexico went on the attack, they were caught in a counter where Virgili went on a 1 vs 1 and then got dropped by Bustos, who came in late for a sliding tackle. Mexico tried to have it overturned but after review, the PK stood. Iker Bravo stepped up to take the PK and got off a right footed shot past Ochoa to score and give Spain the 2-1 lead. Once again Mexico had given up and lead and were now trailing. Mexico subbed out Oswaldo Virgen for Tahiel Jimenez. Mella got the ball in the area but his left footed shot went right to Ochoa. Spain subbed out Pablo Garcia and Jan Virgili for Adrian Liso and Joel Roca. Spain asked for a “Green card” review off a possible red car foul by Sanchez but nothing was given. A cross into the area was headed by Padilla but it was easily handled by Gonzalez. A cross into the area was headed back by Elias Montiel, into the path of Gilberto Mora, who got off a right footed shot past Gonzalez and into the net to score and give Mexico the 2-2 tie. It was a great goal in a statement match from Mora, who lived up to the hype on Wednesday afternoon. Off a free kick, the ball was crossed into the area where Jimenez would head it right to Gonzalez. A great counter was started by Camberos (who made a great trick play in the middle of it) but his right footed shot was deflected wide. Off the ensuing corner kick, the cross into the area was headed by a wide open Diego Ochoa but the ball was saved by Gonzalez. The match would end as Mexico fought back to earn another tie against a football powerhouse.

Once again Mexico followed the same script in route to another important and historic tie. Unlike the game against Brazil, where Mexico had been slightly the better team, it was Spain who was better. Yet Mexico showed a lot of character in battling back and Gilbero Mora was key in taking control of the match and giving a great performance in the world stage. Mexico sits now in 2nd place of Group C with 2 points. Later in the night, Morocco would defeat Brazil in a match that has great impact for Mexico. With the win, Morocco went up to 6 points which not only earned them a spot in the Round of 16 but wins the first place of Group C. This means that outside of acclaim, Morocco had nothing else to gain from facing Mexico, as any result leaves them as Group winners. This means that Morocco will probably look to the Round of 16 match and will probably rest starters as well as any player with a Yellow card. With only 2 days rest between the match against Brazil and the one against Mexico for Morocco (as well that it’s also an afternoon match) , it should definitely have an impact on what actions Morocco’s manager takes. Should Morocco go with an alternate squad, Mexico could definitely have an opportunity to get the victory that clinches them the 2nd place in Group C and more importantly, the ticket to the knockout rounds. Mexico will need to improve especially in Midfield, after the decline in the level of play. While Mexico’s defense was able to have a great match, the midfield didn’t click like they did against Brazil. Still Mexico has done well against very tough situations (Brazil in their tournament opener, Spain needing a win to keep their hopes alive in the Tournament) and have handled themselves well, in a favorable situation they should do better although you never know with Mexico. Hopefully we have another great performance for Mora and and improving one from others to get a victory in a U20 World Cup for the first time since 2017.