The Mexican national football team has once again faced early elimination in a major tournament, this time at the group stage of the 2022 World Cup. This outcome has continued a troubling trend for the team, which also posted unremarkable performances in the Concacaf Nations League over the past year and a half.
The Coaching Conundrum
In a turn of events, Jaime Lozano, initially appointed as an interim coach, secured a full-time position after successfully leading Mexico to victory in the Concacaf Gold Cup. Despite this triumph, his team couldn't carry the momentum into the international arena, falling short at crucial junctures.
Copa America Heartbreak
Mexico's campaign in the Copa America was another instance of close yet fruitless endeavors. In their decisive match against Ecuador, Mexico needed a win to progress to the quarterfinals. Dominating possession with nearly 60% of the ball and outshooting Ecuador 19-9, they created multiple chances but struggled to find the back of the net. It took them until the 65th minute to register their first shot on target, an indicator of their troubles up front.
Despite their offensive efforts, Mexico only generated an expected goals tally of 0.86 against Ecuador and scored just one goal across their three Copa America games, starkly contrasting their expected goals tally of 4.71 over these matches. Defensively, they were more solid, conceding just one goal during the group stage. However, the failure to convert their attacking opportunities ultimately cost them dearly.
Attacking Woes
The attacking struggles have been exacerbated by the lack of prolific scorers in the current squad. No player holds more than 13 international goals, underscoring the need for a dependable finisher. Santiago Gimenez, who had an outstanding season with Feyenoord netting 26 goals and providing eight assists in Europe, has not translated that form to the national team, managing just four goals in 30 appearances for Mexico.
High Stakes for the Future
As Mexico looks ahead to hosting the World Cup in two years, the expectations from fans are sky-high. The scrutiny on the national team has inevitably increased. These upcoming years will be crucial for the team's preparations and efforts to meet the high expectations of their passionate supporters.