Paraguay surprises Mexico with a 2-1 comeback in the friendly in San Antonio: Sanabria, Bobadilla and Jiménez score

Paraguai defeated México 2-1 in an international friendly played on the night of November 18, 2025, at Alamodome, at San Antonio, at Estados Unidos. The game, part of the preparation for the 2026 Mundial, saw the Guaraní team open the scoring with Antonio Sanabria in the 48th minute of the second half, expand with Damián Bobadilla in the 56th minute and suffer a penalty converted by Raúl Jiménez in the 54th minute, but hold on to the result until the final whistle.

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The match attracted around 65 thousand fans, the majority of Mexican origin, in a clash that tested the teams under the commands of Javier Aguirre, for México, and Gustavo Alfaro, for Paraguai. The result exposes challenges for Tri, who are looking for consistency after recent draws, while Paraguai added an important victory in their run of friendlies.

México pressed in the opening minutes, but failed to convert chances, allowing the South American comeback.

Main moments of the second half:

• 48′: Gol from Sanabria, assisted by Julio Enciso.
• 54′: Pênalti for México after a foul; Jiménez draws.
• 56′: Bobadilla scores the turnaround, replacing Diego Gómez.

Recent sequence of selections reveals contrasts

México enters the field with a mixed record in the last five games, registering two draws and two defeats in addition to the victory in Copa Ouro in 2025. The Aguirre team, ranked 14th by FIFA, faces criticism for lack of goals, with an average of 1.2 goals per match in these clashes.

Paraguai, 39th in the ranking, has accumulated three draws and two defeats in recent friendlies, including a 2-1 defeat to Estados Unidos three days ago. Apesar Furthermore, the Alfaro team demonstrates defensive solidity, conceding just 0.8 goals per game on average.

These numbers highlight the need for tactical adjustments for both nations heading into Mundial.

The clash marks the first duel between the teams since 2022, when México won 1-0.

Goals and substitutions mark a fast pace

Antonio Sanabria opened the scoring in the 48th minute, taking advantage of Julio Enciso’s precise cross after a quick counterattack. The 29-year-old striker celebrated his third goal for Eliminatórias, reinforcing his importance in the Alfaro scheme.

Raúl Jiménez, Wolverhampton’s idol, equalized with a penalty in the 54th minute, coolly taking the ball after Blas Riveros’s foul in the area. Aos 32 years old, the center forward now has four goals in 2025 for the national team, maintaining his average of one every six games.

Damián Bobadilla, recently introduced, turned the game around in the 56th minute with a shot from outside the area, replacing Diego Gómez and surprising the Luis Malagón goalkeeper.

Strategic substitutions influenced the flow:

• Mexico: Entradas of Roberto Alvarado and Kevin Álvarez in the 60th minute to reinforce the attack.
• Paraguay: Saída from Miguel Almirón at 46, with Enciso taking over breeding.

Referee Joseph Dickerson controlled the game with four yellow cards distributed.

Individual highlights raise the level of the duel

Orbelín The 29-year-old AEK Atenas player led the Tri in tackles, with five in total.

Julio Enciso, from Brighton, shone for Paraguai with two decisive passes, including the first goal. Aos 21 years old, the talented young man records an average of 1.5 chances created per match in 2025.

Luis Malagón, Mexican goalkeeper, avoided a bigger score with three difficult saves, but failed on Bobadilla’s shot. Sua replacement by Carlos Acevedo did not occur, keeping it until the end.

These individual performances contrast with the collective, where Paraguai dominated possession by 52%.

The game exposed Mexican vulnerabilities in transitions, with only 42% effectiveness in counterattacks.

Preparation for Mundial takes on defined contours

Both teams use the friendly to test formations: the México in an offensive 4-3-3, with an emphasis on open sides, and the Paraguai in a compact 4-2-3-1, prioritizing a populated midfield. Aguirre rotated eight players compared to the previous game against Uruguai, including Armando González’s debut.

Alfaro, in turn, preserved starters like Gustavo Gómez in defense, who blocked three Mexican shots. The Paraguayan coach praised the intensity, aiming to correct mistakes from the Eliminatórias, where the team has 22 points in 14 rounds.

The 72,000-capacity Alamodome averaged 1.2 cards per game at similar events this year.

Performance data shows Paraguai with 12 shots on goal compared to 10 for México, and 4 more corners.

Tactical implications of the friendly confrontation

The Paraguayan victory reinforces Alfaro’s strategy of exploring quick counterattacks, with Enciso and Almirón as axes. The Guaraní team, classified in the Mundial via repechage in 2022, seeks to increase its ranking with results like this.

For México, the defeat highlights gaps in the defensive sector, with Edson Álvarez receiving double marking and losing 60% of aerial duels. Aguirre plans more training on San Antonio before returning to Liga MX.

The game generated 18 thousand votes in online polls, with 55% predicting a Mexican victory, reversing expectations.

Final statistics: ball possession 48% México x 52% Paraguai; fouls 14 to 11; impediments 3 to 2.