Mexico defeat Australia 1-0 in International Friendly ahead of the 2026 World Cup
Mexico face Australia in an international friendly as part of their preparations for the 2026 World Cup, with only a few days remaining before the tournament begins. Mexico will host both the World Cup and this matchup at the Rose Bowl, while Javier Aguirre’s side look to make a final impression before the official squad announcement. Second half is underway!
El Tri arrive after defeating Ghana 2-0 in the first of their three pre-World Cup friendlies. However, this clash against Australia carries even greater significance, as it will be the final opportunity for players on the bubble to earn a place in Aguirre’s final 26-man roster before the tournament gets underway.
Meanwhile, Australia present a much tougher test after also beginning their World Cup camp in early May. The Socceroos won both of their March friendlies, beating Cameroon 1-0 thanks to a goal from Jordan Bos before cruising to a 5-1 victory over Curacao with goals from Awer Mabil, Alessandro Circati, Jordan Bos, and a brace from Nestory Irankunda.
90′ – Full-time (1-0)
The final whistle blows at the Rose Bowl and Mexico come away with a 1-0 victory over Australia in their final tune-up before the 2026 World Cup. Johan Vasquez’s first-half header proved to be the difference as Mexico closed out the match to secure the win.
90′ – Five minutes added on (1-0)
The fourth official indicates that five minutes of stoppage time will be played at the end of the second half. Australia continue to push for an equalizer, while Mexico look to see out the victory.
90′ – Australia make two more changes (1-0)
Australia make another pair of substitutions as Lucas Herrington and Jackson Irvine leave the match. Cameron Burgess and Awer Mabil come on for the final minutes at the Rose Bowl.
83′ – Australia make two substitutions (1-0)
Australia make another pair of changes as Mohamed Toure and Jordan Bos leave the field. Nestory Irankunda and Aziz Behich enter the match for the final stages.
79′ – Cooling break at the Rose Bowl (1-0)
The referee pauses play for a cooling break as players from both teams head to the sidelines for hydration. Action will resume shortly with Mexico holding a 1-0 lead over Australia.
74′ – Mexico make two more changes (1-0)
Mexico continue to freshen up the lineup as Luis Romo and Johan Vasquez come off. Obed Vargas and Jesus Gomez enter the match for the closing stages.
69′ – Australia make four substitutions (1-0)
Australia make several changes in the second half. Aiden O’Neill, Jacob Italiano, Mathew Leckie, and Conor Metcalfe leave the match, while Paul Okon, Kai Trewin, Ajdin Hrustic, and Nishan Velupillay come on.
64′ – Play resumes after injury scare for Jacob Italiano (1-0)
The match is briefly stopped after Jacob Italiano goes down and appears to be dealing with an injury. After receiving attention, the Australian midfielder gets back to his feet without any issues, and play resumes quickly.
61′ – Mexico make five substitutions (1-0)
Mexico continue to rotate their squad in the second half. Alvaro Fidalgo, Luis Chavez, Alexis Vega, Mateo Chavez, and Edson Alvarez leave the field, while Gilberto Mora, Erik Lira, Julian Quinones, Jesus Gallardo, and Cesar Montes come on.
53′ – Yellow card for Cesar Huerta (1-0)
Cesar Huerta goes into the referee’s book after a hard challenge on Jordan Bos. The Mexican winger arrives late and is shown a yellow card for the foul.
49′ – Mexico make four changes at the break (1-0)
Mexico make several substitutions to begin the second half. Guillermo Martinez, Raul Rangel, Jorge Sanchez, and Orbelin Pineda come off, while Santiago Gimenez, Guillermo Ochoa, Israel Reyes, and Cesar Huerta enter the match.
45′ – Second half is underway! (1-0)
The action resumes at the Rose Bowl as Mexico and Australia begin the second half. Mexico hold a narrow 1-0 advantage and will look to build on their lead, while Australia search for an equalizer.
45′ – Halftime at the Rose Bowl (1-0)
The first half comes to an end with Mexico holding a 1-0 lead over Australia. Johan Vasquez’s header from an Alexis Vega corner separates the two sides after 45 minutes, while Australia missed a golden opportunity to level the score just before the break.
45′ – Australia waste a golden chance! (1-0)
Australia come inches away from an equalizer before the break. Mohamed Toure finds himself one-on-one with Raul Rangel and attempts to chip the goalkeeper, but his effort goes off target, allowing Mexico to preserve their lead. Two minutes of stoppage time have been added.
44′ – Fidalgo misses from long range (1-0)
Alvaro Fidalgo attempts another effort from outside the box, but the midfielder is unable to keep his shot on target as Mexico continue to look for a second goal.
38′ – Offside against Australia (1-0)
Australia try to play a ball in behind the Mexican defense through Harry Souttar, but the move comes to an end as Mohamed Toure is caught in an offside position.
33′ – Yellow card for Jacob Italiano (1-0)
Jacob Italiano becomes the first player booked in the match after bringing down Mateo Chavez. The referee has no hesitation in showing the yellow card following the late challenge.
28′ – GOOOOOOOOOAL FOR MEXICO! (1-0)
Mexico take the lead from a set piece. Alexis Vega delivers an excellent corner into the box, and Johan Vasquez rises above everyone to power a header into the net, giving Matt Ryan no chance and putting Mexico in front at the Rose Bowl.
25′ – Alexis Vega’s effort is blocked (0-0)
Alexis Vega cuts inside and fires a right-footed shot from outside the box, but Australia react quickly and get in the way, blocking the effort before it reaches goal.
23′ – Alvaro Fidalgo’s shot is blocked (0-0)
Alvaro Fidalgo unleashes a right-footed effort from outside the box, but the attempt is blocked by the Australian defense before it can trouble Matt Ryan.
21′ – Mexico dominate possession but lack clear chances (0-0)
Mexico continue to control possession and spend long stretches in Australia’s half, but they have struggled to create meaningful opportunities. Australia have remained compact defensively, doing an excellent job as a unit, while Mexico’s midfield has found little space to unlock the visitors’ back line.
15′ – Australia go close from a corner! (0-0)
Australia nearly take the lead after a corner kick finds Jordan Bos at the near post. Bos lays it off for Jackson Irvine, whose soft effort drifts just wide of the post in the visitors’ best chance of the match so far.
10′ – Luis Chavez misses from distance (0-0)
Luis Chavez tries his luck with a left-footed effort from outside the box, but the shot fails to hit the target as Mexico continue to push forward in search of the opening goal.
6′ – Mexico control the early stages (0-0)
Mexico have dominated possession and territory in the opening minutes, keeping Australia pinned back for long stretches. The visitors have managed just one approach so far, but it did not create any danger for Raul Rangel.
3′ – Luis Chavez sends it wide (0-0)
Mexico create the first dangerous chance of the match after a free kick causes problems inside the box. The rebound falls to Luis Chavez, but his effort goes wide of the target.
0′ – Game is underway! (0-0)
The referee blows the whistle and the international friendly between Mexico and Australia is underway at the Rose Bowl.
Australia starting XI
Australia XI: Matt Ryan; Jordan Bos, Lucas Herrington, Harry Souttar, Alessandro Circati; Aiden O’Neill, Conor Metcalfe, Jackson Irvine; Jacob Italiano, Mohamed Toure, Mathew Leckie.
Mexico confirmed lineup
Mexico XI: Raul Rangel; Jorge Sanchez, Johan Vasquez, Luis Chavez, Mateo Chavez; Alvaro Fidalgo, Luis Romo, Edson Alvarez; Orbelin Pineda, Guillermo Martinez, Alexis Vega.
Mexico vs Australia head-to-head record
Mexico and Australia have faced each other six times in their history. Mexico won the first meeting 3-0 in an international friendly in 1970, while Australia earned victories in both FIFA Confederations Cup meetings. Their most recent encounter ended in a 2-2 draw in an international friendly in September 2023.
Results:
- 01 Dec 1970: Mexico 3-0 Australia, International Friendly
- 24 Aug 1980: Australia 2-2 Mexico, International Friendly
- 26 Aug 1980: Australia 1-1 Mexico, International Friendly
- 12 Dec 1997: Australia 3-1 Mexico, FIFA Confederations Cup
- 30 May 2001: Mexico 0-2 Australia, FIFA Confederations Cup
- 09 Sep 2023: Mexico 2-2 Australia, International Friendly
Australia have not enjoyed playing in the United States
Australia arrive at the Rose Bowl carrying an uncomfortable trend on U.S. soil after losing their three most recent matches played in the United States against the United States, Venezuela, and Colombia. Their most recent result in the country was a 2-1 defeat against the United States, while they also fell to Venezuela and suffered a heavy loss against Colombia.
The Socceroos have not recorded a win in the United States this century. Their closest positive result came in 2023, when they played to a 2-2 draw against Mexico in Arlington, Texas. Because of that, Pasadena represents another difficult test, not only because of the opponent but also due to an atmosphere that will likely be dominated by Mexico supporters.
Tonight’s venue
The Rose Bowl is an outdoor stadium located in Pasadena, California. Opened in October 1922, it is recognized as a National Historic Landmark and a California Historic Civil Engineering landmark. The iconic venue will also serve as one of the host stadiums for the 2026 World Cup, making tonight’s match another important event in its storied history.
Start time and how to watch
Mexico vs Australia will get underway at 10:00 PM ET (PT: 7:00 PM)
Watch this International friendly match between Mexico and Australia live in the USA on Univision, TUDN, FOX Deportes, DirecTV Stream, Fubo and ViX.
Mexico and Australia clash in international friendly
Welcome to our live blog of today’s international friendly!
Mexico face Australia at the Rose Bowl in one of their final matches before the 2026 World Cup.
Stay with us for key updates, important moments, and minute-by-minute coverage as Mexico and Australia battle it out in California.
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