Mexico needs to shake off nerves for crucial clash with South Korea

Last updated on June 19, 2026

The 2026 World Cup inaugural match was quite a day for Mexico.

Estadio Azteca (Mexico City Stadium) made history as it became the first stadium to host three opening matches in World Cup history. And, as expected, the atmosphere at “El Coloso de Santa Úrsula” was electric. The color and passion in the stands, and just the magnitude of the venue, made many ask why the Final wasn’t being hosted at this soccer cathedral.

As far for the result, “El Tri” sent everyone home happy with a 2-0 win over South Africa. With the victory, the national team broke a seven-match winless streak in the first game of the tournament.

But while the result was positive, the team’s performance left a “glass-half-empty” feeling. Yes, they got the three points, but they could’ve done much more against a hapless “Bafana Bafana” side that ended the match with nine men. Mexico was out of tune and failed to press the action. Its performance was scrutinized even more in hindsight after the United States, one of the other three co-host nations, easily trashed Paraguay in its opening game.

Some of Mexico’s flaws against South Africa can be attributed to stage fright. With seven players in the starting 11 making their World Cup debut, 10 in total, the jitters were no surprise, especially considering the game was played in the mythical stadium and that it was the focal point of the entire soccer world at the moment.

“El Tri” head coach Javier “El Vasco” Aguirre addressed the shaky legs after the match.

“This World Cup is a huge stage, and that makes your legs shake a little and makes players overthink. The stage is enormous,” said Aguirre. “The emotional intensity is very strong. I think that for some of them—not all—the occasion weighed on them a little. Opening the tournament at home carries a lot of pressure, but they are young and they needed to go through that experience.”

Now, after this experience, El Tri is set to take on its second test of the tournament as it faces a much more difficult opponent in South Korea at Estadio Akron (Guadalajara Stadium) this Thursday, in a match with heavy implications in the race to win Group A. The Asian Tigers kicked things off with a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic at the same stadium.

In the lead-up to this match, Aguirre talked about the jitters. He noted he would give his players the benefit of the doubt, but against South Korea he won’t accept any nervousness again. They better be ready to handle the pressure.

“On that day, 10 players made their World Cup debuts. I congratulated them and then told them that I was giving everyone the benefit of the doubt if the nerves of that debut had affected them. It was normal for the young players to be a bit tight, even though it doesn’t stop us from being excited to hear and see the fans. It’s indescribable, and we are very grateful to the Mexican supporters—you feel support and warmth that is out of the ordinary,” Aguirre said. “I told them, the World Cup has started, I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt, but I cannot allow that, because of the occasion, a player is unable to make a 3- or 4-meter pass as happened that day against South Africa, or that they fail to make a movement that has been trained.”

Against the “Asian Tigers”, “El Vasco” looks to make a couple of changes to the starting lineup he employed versus South Africa.

In goal, Raúl “Tala” Rangel will repeat as the starter despite looking uneasy against “Bafana Bafana” in a game where he only saw two shots on target. Playing in the friendly confines of Estadio Akron, where he plays with his club Chivas, might give him a boost of confidence.

The backline could experience the most changes. In an already confirmed move, Edson Álvarez will replace César Montes, who was sent off against South Africa, at left center back. Álvarez is no stranger to this position and will be starting again after being displaced by Erik Lira as the team’s main defensive midfielder. With “El Machín”, Mexico gains some speed in the backline, as Montes is on the slower side, especially when tracking back into position. At right back, Jorge Sánchez could replace Israel Reyes to give the team a better offensive push on that side of the field. Johan Vásquez (right center back) and Jesús Gallardo (left back) will start again.

In midfield, Lira is untouchable in his deep-lying position. He was one debutant who showed no jitters at all versus South Africa. He was all over the field like a pit bull fighting for the ball. He was key in El Tri’s first goal. He stepped out of his position and caused the giveaway outside the box that led to Julián Quiñones’ opening strike. Lira will be in charge of shutting down South Korea’s engine, Son Heung-min.

In terms of the attacking midfielders, despite being one of the players who dealt with jitters in the inaugural match, Brian Gutiérrez should start again. The Chicago native was dynamic and was able to thread some passes against South Africa, but his nervousness was visible and he was imprecise at times. However, he has been a player who has Aguirre’s trust. Estadio Akron is also his club home; he is another player who can benefit from the home-field advantage.

On the left, according to reports, Luis Chávez could be subbed in for Álvaro Fidalgo, as he is a much scrappier and faster player. These traits will be needed to impose conditions against a very athletic and strong Korean midfield. Mexico’s key to the game is being able to maintain possession; they don’t want to get into a track meet with the Koreans.

It should also be noted that Gutiérrez and Chávez can deliver long-range blasts that can unsettle and draw out the Asian Tigers’ tight defensive block.

Up top, Aguirre will most likely go again with the trio of Julián Quiñones, Raúl Jiménez, and Robert “Piojo” Alvarado.

Quiñones was Mexico’s man of the match against South Africa. He was like a battering ram bashing through the final line. El Tri doesn’t have another player who can match his speed, power, and goal-scoring instincts. He will be a key player against a physical Korean team.

Raúl Jiménez was his usual associative self in the opening match. He was moving around and working to set up plays. And for his effort, he was rewarded with his first goal in four World Cup appearances. Having ended the drought, Jiménez is in prime position to score again in the match versus Korea.

As for Alvarado, his defensive dirty work will surely be needed against the “Asian Tigers”, who can be relentless.