Mexico's national football team continues to struggle on the international stage, exiting the 2022 World Cup at the group stage. This early departure marks yet another disappointment for a team that has consistently faced challenges in major tournaments.
In the past year and a half, Mexico's performances in the Concacaf Nations League have been lackluster, failing to inspire confidence among their supporters. With high expectations and increasing scrutiny, the appointment of Jaime Lozano as the full-time coach has been a beacon of hope. Lozano initially took over as interim coach but secured the position permanently after leading Mexico to victory in the Concacaf Gold Cup.
Copa America Struggles
Mexico's journey in the Copa America was no different, as they failed to advance past the group stage. In their decisive match against Ecuador, Mexico needed a victory to progress to the quarterfinals. Despite dominating possession and creating several opportunities, the team fell short. Mexico controlled nearly 60% of the ball and outshot Ecuador 19-9, yet their efforts weren't enough to secure the needed result.
The team’s inability to convert their chances was evident, with Mexico taking 13 shots before managing their first shot on target in the 65th minute. Statistically, they generated just 0.86 expected goals in the match against Ecuador, which further highlights their inefficiency in front of the goal. Over the course of their three Copa America games, Mexico scored only once, despite having an expected goals tally of 4.71. Defensively, they conceded just one goal during the group stage, indicating that the primary issue lies with their attacking output.
Scoring Woes
No player on the current squad has more than 13 international goals, which underscores the lack of a prolific scorer. The potential remedy to this problem could be Santiago Gimenez, who had a stellar season with Feyenoord, netting 26 goals and providing eight assists in Europe. However, his international form has been less impressive, with just four goals in 30 appearances for Mexico.
Optimism for the Future
As Mexico prepares to host the World Cup in two years, the pressure is mounting. Fans have high expectations, and the scrutiny surrounding the team is intensifying. There is optimism that with Lozano at the helm and emerging talents like Gimenez, Mexico can turn their fortunes around. The upcoming period will be crucial for the team to address their shortcomings and build a squad capable of competing at the highest level.
The immediate task for Mexico will be to find solutions to their attacking inefficiencies and develop a more cohesive unit. The foundations are there, with a solid defensive record and a capable coach. What remains to be seen is whether they can translate possession and chances into goals, especially on football's biggest stage in 2024.