Mexico 1-2 Paraguay Player Ratings: Pineda Rated 8.5/10 as Paraguay Secures a Gritty 2-1 Comeback Victory

The first half was a tetchy, foul-ridden stalemate where neither Mexico nor Paraguay could find any real rhythm. It was a war of attrition, not a football match.

Then the second half erupted. It was a sudden burst of action that caught everyone by surprise. Paraguay broke the deadlock with a clinical finish, only for Mexico to strike back almost immediately. Orbelín Pineda, who was a menace all evening, won a clear penalty that Raúl Jiménez calmly dispatched.

Just when you thought El Tri would push on, Paraguay showed immense character. They hit back almost instantly to retake the lead, a sucker punch that Mexico never recovered from. The game descended back into a scrappy battle, and the visitors expertly managed the closing stages to seal a hard-fought 2-1 victory.

Here are Mexico Vs Paraguay Player Ratings

Mexico Player Ratings vs Paraguay

Here are Mexico Player Ratings vs Paraguay

Goalkeeper

Luis Malagón - 6.0: Made a couple of decent saves, including a notable one to deny Ramón Sosa. However, he was ultimately beaten twice. From our perspective, he couldn't be faulted directly for the goals, but he didn't command his area with the authority we'd hope for. His distribution was solid enough with 88% passing accuracy, but it was an evening where he was more reactive than proactive.

Defenders

Edson Álvarez - 7.0: As captain, he tried to lead by example. He was incredibly tidy in possession, misplacing only five passes all game. What stood out was his attacking ambition; he hit the woodwork and even missed a big chance. Defensively he was sound, winning all his duels. A solid performance in a losing effort.

Israel Reyes - 5.5: A difficult evening for Reyes. He struggled against Paraguay's runners and lost the majority of his duels. We noticed he was often caught slightly out of position, and while he made a few clearances, he looked uncomfortable before being substituted. Not his best showing.

Jesús Orozco Chiquete - 6.0: A mixed bag. He was strong in the air, winning two of three aerial duels, and had a decent passing range. He even forced a save with a header in the first half. However, he was part of a defensive unit that looked disjointed and ultimately conceded twice. Subbed off after an hour.

Mateo Chávez - 6.0: Showed flashes of promise going forward, completing a successful dribble and putting in a good cross. Defensively, however, he was tested. He won a respectable 50% of his duels but also lost possession nine times in just 60 minutes. An energetic but raw performance.

Midfielders

Érik Lira - 5.0: A tough night for the midfielder. He picked up a needless yellow card and seemed to be chasing shadows at times. He lost possession far too often (11 times) and won only one of his four duels. From our perspective, he failed to impose himself on the game and was a passenger for large spells.

Gilberto Mora - 6.5: One of Mexico's brighter sparks in his time on the pitch. He was tidy with the ball and created a big chance, showing good vision. He tested the keeper with a shot from distance and looked to make things happen. It was a surprise to see him taken off when others were performing worse.

Marcel Ruiz - 6.0: A very busy but ultimately frustrating performance. He worked tirelessly, drawing three fouls and making tackles. Yet, he offered little going forward and committed three fouls himself. He was a ball of energy but lacked the final product to really hurt Paraguay.

Forwards

Raúl Jiménez - 6.5: He got his goal from the penalty spot, which is his primary job. You can't argue with a coolly taken spot-kick. However, outside of that, he was quite isolated. He missed a big chance with a header and picked up a yellow card for a clumsy challenge. A goal is a goal, but we expected more from him in open play.

Orbelín Pineda - 8.5: Mexico's best player by a country mile. What a performance. He was absolutely everywhere, winning a staggering nine duels and making four successful tackles. It was his brilliant run that won the penalty, showcasing his drive and skill. His energy was infectious, and he was the only Mexican player who consistently looked like a threat. The highest-rated player on the pitch for a reason.

Jorge Antonio Ruvalcaba Castro - 4.5: Almost completely anonymous. In 60 minutes, he had only 12 touches and completed four passes. He lost all his duels and offered nothing in attack. It felt like Mexico were playing with ten men when he was on the pitch. A really poor showing.

Substitutes

Jesús Gallardo - 6.0: Came on and provided some stability on the left but couldn't influence the final result.

Roberto Alvarado - 6.5: Looked lively and put in a great cross that Jiménez should have scored from.

Johan Vásquez - 6.0: Shored things up at the back after coming on but the damage was already done.

Kevin Álvarez - 6.0: Added energy but had little time to make a decisive impact.

Armando González - N/A: Not on the pitch long enough to rate.

Érick Sánchez - N/A: Came on late with little time to change the game's flow.

Manager

J. Aguirre Onaindía - 5.5: His team looked disjointed and lacked a clear plan, especially in the first half. While they showed spirit to equalize, they immediately conceded again, which points to poor organization. His substitutions didn't turn the tide, and losing at home, even in a friendly, is always a disappointment.

Paraguay Player Ratings vs Mexico

Here are Paraguay Player Ratings vs Mexico

Goalkeeper

Orlando Gill - 6.5: Could do nothing about the penalty. He made a couple of key saves, particularly one from an Álvarez shot inside the box. His distribution was erratic, but he did his shot-stopping job effectively when called upon. A solid, if unspectacular, outing.

Defenders

Gustavo Velázquez - 7.0: A rock at the back. He won every single one of his five duels and made several important clearances and tackles. He read the game superbly and gave Jiménez very little to work with from open play. A commanding defensive performance.

Alexis Duarte - 6.5: A quiet but effective partner to Velázquez. He was tidy in possession and made three clearances. He wasn't tested as much, but he did his job with minimal fuss, which is all you can ask from a center-back.

Alan Benítez - 5.5: A very difficult night for the fullback. He was booked and struggled against the trickery of Mexico's attackers. He lost possession 10 times and looked a bit rash in the challenge. He worked hard but was a clear weak link in the backline.

Agustín Sández - 6.0: Had a tough battle on his flank. He made a couple of important tackles and clearances but also committed two fouls and struggled to get forward effectively. A solid, workmanlike performance without being outstanding.

Midfielders

Ramón Sosa - 7.0: A bundle of energy and aggression. He won seven duels and made four tackles, constantly harassing the Mexican midfield. He also forced a good save from Malagón with a shot from distance. His defensive work rate was exceptional.

Diego Gómez - 7.0: Ran the show in his 45 minutes on the pitch. He was dominant in the air, winning four aerial duels, and showed great vision with a key pass. It was a very impressive and mature display before he was substituted at halftime.

Miguel Almirón - 7.0: The captain led by example in the first half. He was a constant creative outlet, drawing fouls and driving his team forward. His perfect long ball accuracy showed his class. Paraguay missed his influence after he was taken off at the break.

B. Ojeda - 5.0: His performance will be remembered for one moment: conceding the penalty. It was a clumsy and unnecessary foul that gifted Mexico a way back into the game. Outside of that, he was decent, winning duels and making key passes, but such a critical error heavily impacts his rating.

Matías Galarza Fonda - 6.0: A combative and disruptive presence, but perhaps too much so. He committed four fouls and was constantly walking a tightrope. He did his defensive duties well, winning tackles and recovering the ball, but his indiscipline was a liability.

Forwards

Antonio Sanabria - 7.5: Scored the crucial opening goal, which sets the tone for his rating. He was a nuisance for the Mexican defense, drawing fouls and holding up the ball. It wasn't the prettiest performance, but he was effective and clinical when it mattered most.

Substitutes

Julio Enciso - 7.5: Came on and changed the game, providing the assist for the winning goal. A brilliant cameo.

Damián Bobadilla - 7.5: Scored the winning goal with a well-taken header. You can't ask for more from a substitute.

Diego González - 6.0: Helped see out the game with fresh legs in midfield.

Alex Arce - 6.0: Added a physical presence up front in the closing stages.

Manager

G. Alfaro - 7.5: A great result on the road. His team was organized and resilient. His halftime substitutions proved to be masterstrokes, as Enciso and Bobadilla combined for the winning goal. He identified what was needed and made the changes that won his team the match. A tactical victory.

Sportsdunia's player of the match is Pineda