Mexico 0-0 Japan Player Ratings: Takefusa Kubo 8/10 Rated as Cagey Stalemate Ends in Red Card Drama 0-0

Mexico vs Japan was a match that promised fireworks but ultimately delivered a tense, tactical stalemate at Soldier Field. The clash between Mexico and Japan was a chess match from the first whistle. Neither side could truly find the key to unlock the other's defence. It was a game defined by dogged midfield battles and stout defensive work. The entire dynamic of the game shifted just 32 minutes in. Mexico's captain, Edson Álvarez, went down with an injury, a massive blow that visibly unsettled his team. Japan looked to capitalize, with Takefusa Kubo pulling the strings and creating a few nervous moments for the Mexican backline.

Despite a flurry of blocked shots and half-chances, neither goalkeeper was seriously overworked. The real drama was saved for the dying moments. A reckless challenge from Cesar Montes saw him receive a red card after a VAR review, ending a frustrating night for Mexico on a sour note and capping off a goalless match that was more grit than glamour. Here are the Mexico vs Japan player ratings.

Mexico National Football Team Player Ratings vs Japan

Here are the Mexico player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Luis Malagón - 6.5: Had a relatively quiet evening between the sticks. He was called upon to make two saves, one from inside the box, and he handled them without any fuss. His distribution was a bit shaky at times, losing possession more than you'd like, but he was reliable when it mattered most.

Defenders

Jorge Sánchez - 7.0: A standout performer for Mexico in our eyes. He was defensively robust, winning six of his ten duels and making a crucial last-man tackle that showed his great reading of the game. He tried to support the attack, but his final product was lacking. Still, a very solid outing.

Cesar Montes - 4.5: It was all going reasonably well until it wasn't. He made three clearances and won most of his aerial battles, looking composed for 90 minutes. However, that moment of madness at the end, resulting in a straight red card, was inexcusable. It completely overshadowed his entire performance and let his team down.

Johan Vásquez - 6.5: A very tidy and professional performance. What stood out to us was his incredible 95% pass accuracy, keeping things simple and secure at the back. He wasn't spectacular, but he didn't put a foot wrong either. A steadying presence in the backline.

Jesús Gallardo - 6.0: An energetic but ultimately frustrating performance. He got up and down the left flank but lost possession 13 times, stalling momentum. He was solid enough defensively, winning both of his attempted tackles, but his contribution in the final third was minimal.

Midfielders

Edson Álvarez - 6.0: His night was cruelly cut short. In the 32 minutes he was on the pitch, he was starting to impose his physicality on the game, even blocking a shot. His forced substitution was a major blow to Mexico's structure and spirit. It's hard to rate him properly, but the team missed him dearly.

Marcel Ruiz - 7.0: A bright spark in a congested midfield. We noticed his constant movement and desire to get on the ball. He won five duels, drew three fouls, and was one of the few Mexican players who looked capable of creating something. A really encouraging performance.

Orbelín Pineda - 6.0: A game that seemed to pass him by. He worked hard off the ball, winning a decent number of duels, but he was loose in possession. He just couldn't find the space to influence the attack and was subbed off after an hour of chasing shadows.

Alexis Vega - 6.0: Much like Pineda, he put in a shift but struggled to make a real impact. He was combative, engaging in 10 duels, but his attacking output was limited to one blocked shot. It just wasn't his night, and his substitution felt inevitable.

Roberto Carlos Alvarado Hernández - 5.5: Another player who found it tough going against a disciplined Japanese defense. He was neat on the ball but offered very little penetration. One shot off target summed up his frustrating outing before he was withdrawn.

Forwards

Raúl Jiménez - 6.5: A thankless task leading the line. He fought for everything, winning an impressive seven duels and drawing three fouls to give his side a platform. But he was isolated and starved of service, with his two shots both being blocked. You could see his frustration.

Substitutes

Érik Lira - 6.0: Thrown in at the deep end following Álvarez's injury, and he did a respectable job. He was brought on to be a spoiler and he did just that, breaking up play and committing a couple of tactical fouls. He kept things simple and steady.

Hirving Lozano - 6.5: His introduction brought a much-needed injection of pace and directness. He looked lively and created a headed chance with a good cross. Mexico looked more threatening with him on the pitch.

Other Substitutes - N/A: Germán Berterame, Santiago Giménez, Érick Sánchez, and Carlos Rodríguez were brought on but didn't have enough time or influence to warrant a rating.

Manager

J. Aguirre Onaindía - 6.0: His initial game plan went out the window with the Álvarez injury. His side was defensively organized for the most part but looked completely bereft of ideas in attack. The substitutes added energy, but it wasn't enough to change the outcome. A frustrating day at the office.

Japan National Football Team Player Ratings vs Mexico

Here are the Japan player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Zion Suzuki - 6.5: A very comfortable evening for the Japanese keeper. He had just one save to make from a header and claimed the ball well. His distribution wasn't the best, but he was never put under any real pressure. A clean sheet is a clean sheet.

Defenders

Tsuyoshi Watanabe - 7.5: A colossal performance at the heart of the defense. From our perspective, he was a defensive wall, making a staggering seven clearances and a key block. His only misstep was a late yellow card, but it hardly detracts from an otherwise commanding and dominant display.

Ko Itakura - 6.5: Was very solid for the hour he was on the pitch. He won all of his tackles and kept the Mexican attackers quiet. His substitution seemed planned, and he put in a thoroughly professional shift before making way.

Ayumu Seko - 7.0: Formed a formidable partnership with Watanabe. He was calm and composed, making four clearances and two interceptions. His positional sense was excellent, and he was very comfortable on the ball. An impressive showing.

Midfielders

Wataru Endo - 7.0: The captain led by example. He was a machine in the middle of the park, breaking up play, winning his battles, and distributing the ball with 91% accuracy. He was a constant thorn in Mexico's side, drawing three fouls and providing a shield for his defense. A classic Endo performance.

Kaoru Mitoma - 7.0: A dual threat. He was a menace going forward, always looking to take on his man, but what stood out was his defensive work rate. He made four tackles and two interceptions, showing a side of his game that often goes unnoticed. A complete performance.

Ritsu Doan - 6.5: A busy and hard-working display on the flank. He was diligent in his defensive duties, contributing two interceptions and a clearance. He struggled to produce that moment of quality in the final third but was a key part of Japan's solid team structure.

Daichi Kamada - 6.5: The conductor in midfield. His 92% pass accuracy shows how clean he was in possession, constantly moving the ball and dictating the tempo. We didn't see his usual killer pass or goal threat, but his control was vital for Japan.

Forwards

Takefusa Kubo - 8.0: The best player on the park, without a doubt. Every time he got the ball, you felt something might happen. He was Japan's creative hub, creating two key passes and forcing a good save with a shot from distance. He was a nightmare to defend against and is our Man of the Match.

Takumi Minamino - 6.5: A mixed bag. He showed some lovely touches to link up play and created two chances for his teammates. However, he was caught offside and missed a gilt-edged chance in the second half. You expect a player of his quality to be more clinical.

Ayase Ueda - 7.0: What a physical presence. He may not have scored, but he was an absolute handful for the Mexican center-backs. He won a remarkable 10 duels and drew six fouls, creating chaos and space for others. A tireless and effective performance up top.

Substitutes

Hiroki Sekine - 6.0: Slotted in seamlessly for Itakura and helped Japan see out the clean sheet. A steady 30-minute cameo.

Daizen Maeda, Junya Ito, and others - N/A: The host of late substitutes were brought on to see the game out and didn't have enough time to make a significant impact.

Manager

H. Moriyasu - 7.0: He'll be the happier of the two managers. He set his team up to be defensively solid and hard to beat, and they executed his plan perfectly. They nullified Mexico's attack and always looked like the more likely team to snatch a goal on the break. A very well-coached performance.