Mexico tied Ecuador 1-1 at Akron Stadium in a friendly match as part of its preparations for the 2026 World Cup. The game served as another stage of observation for Javier Aguirre, who has been trying to build a solid foundation for the tournament since returning as head coach in September 2024.
Germán Berterame opened the scoring just three minutes in, capitalizing on pressure and a recovered ball in the attacking third. Ecuador equalized in the 20th minute, with Jordy Alcívar converting a penalty. The score stayed the same until the end, but the coach emphasized the importance of the team’s performance, especially in the early minutes.
First-half analysis
Aguirre viewed the start of the match in a positive light. “I really liked the first half... we had chances in their box, which we built from the back, with good spacing and good technical execution. I liked how the team functioned in the first half.” Mexico created several good chances early on and maintained solid play until Ecuador’s equalizer. The coach also noted that the friendly was useful to gauge the team’s competitiveness against a strong opponent. “It was a good test that teaches us that to beat this kind of team, you need to keep a high tempo throughout the 90 minutes.”
A process still in motion
Aguirre stressed that the cycle leading up to the World Cup remains a work in progress and that the current stage focuses on both individual and collective evaluation. “We’re looking for players, we’re looking for the 25 best players between now and the World Cup,” he said. Since his return, the coach has managed 22 matches: 12 wins, six draws, and four losses, showing steady progress.
The draw with Ecuador also added another chapter to the long history between the two national teams. Their first meeting took place on December 8, 1984, with Mexico winning 3-0 in a match that featured Aguirre himself as one of the scorers. This was the second encounter between the teams at Akron Stadium; the previous one, in 2010, ended with a 2-1 victory for Ecuador.