As Mexico's passionate football fanbase grapples with another disappointing exit at the group stage of a major tournament, the recurring theme of missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential looms large. The Mexican national team, which exited the 2022 World Cup prematurely, has seen a similarly unremarkable run in recent international outings, including two lackluster performances in the Concacaf Nations League. Despite these setbacks, a ray of hope emerged recently as Jaime Lozano, initially an interim coach, secured the full-time coaching position after guiding Mexico to victory in the Concacaf Gold Cup.
Struggles Continue in Copa America
Mexico's recent journey in the Copa America was emblematic of their broader struggles. The team's decisive match required a win against Ecuador to advance to the quarterfinals, a task at which they ultimately fell short. Despite dominating possession, controlling nearly 60% of the ball, and outshooting Ecuador 19-9, Mexico’s inability to convert chances into goals proved costly. It took 13 shots for El Tri to register their first shot on target, highlighting the inefficacy before goal that has plagued them.
Statistically, the numbers were not in their favor. Mexico generated just 0.86 expected goals against Ecuador and scored only once across their three Copa America games, despite an expected goals tally of 4.71. On the defensive end, they conceded merely one goal during the group stage, a testament to a solid backline undone by offensive shortcomings.
Spotlight on Individual Performances
Among the players, the lack of a prolific goalscorer has been acutely felt. No player on the current squad has more than 13 international goals, underscoring a gap in attacking prowess. Santiago Gimenez, who had a standout season with Feyenoord by netting 26 goals and providing eight assists in European competitions, has struggled to translate that form to the national stage, managing just four goals in 30 appearances for Mexico.
Future Prospects and Rising Expectations
With the World Cup set to be hosted by Mexico in two years, fan expectations are skyrocketing, accompanied by intensifying scrutiny of the national team's performance. This situation presents both a challenge and an opportunity for Jaime Lozano and his squad. While the recent setbacks have highlighted significant areas for improvement, the Gold Cup victory under Lozano’s interim tenure suggests that the team possesses the potential to bounce back strongly.
As the countdown to the World Cup continues, the Mexican national team will need to reconcile the high expectations of their ardent supporters with the pressing need to address their on-field inefficiencies. The journey ahead may be fraught with challenges, but with strategic adjustments and a renewed focus, El Tri could well be on their way to restoring their once formidable reputation on the global stage.