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TOLUCA, Mexico — June 4, 2026: Mexico closed out its final match before the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a commanding 5–1 victory over Serbia at Estadio Nemesio Diez.
The night did not start perfectly for El Tri. Serbia took a surprising lead in the 19th minute when Petar Stanić capitalized on a defensive mistake and finished calmly to put Mexico behind early.
Instead of letting the match slip away, Mexico responded with confidence and control. Johan Vásquez brought El Tri level in the 34th minute, rising inside the box to head home the equalizer and wake up the home crowd in Toluca.
Just before halftime, Mexico completed the comeback when Serbia’s Stefan Bukinac turned the ball into his own net, giving El Tri a 2–1 lead heading into the break.
In the second half, Mexico took full control. Raúl Jiménez added the third goal in the 57th minute, continuing Mexico’s attacking rhythm and giving the team breathing room. Serbia’s night got worse in the 72nd minute when Adem Avdić scored another own goal, extending Mexico’s lead to 4–1.
Luis Chávez sealed the performance in the 90th minute with a powerful long-range strike, putting the finishing touch on one of Mexico’s strongest performances heading into the World Cup.
For Javier Aguirre’s side, the result was more than just a friendly win. It was a statement performance in front of the home fans, showing attacking confidence, set-piece danger, and the ability to respond after falling behind.
With the World Cup just days away, Mexico now turns its full focus to its opening match against South Africa. El Tri will enter the tournament with momentum, belief, and a performance that gave supporters plenty of reason to be excited.
