The international friendly between Mexico and Colombia, played on October 11, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, culminated in a decisive 4-0 victory for Colombia. The match, played before an excited crowd of more than 60,000 people—mostly Mexicans residing in the United States—served as key preparation for both teams ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Although Mexico controlled 59% of possession and generated 10 shots, Colombia’s efficiency and dominance of the midfield overwhelmed them, exposing the well-known defensive weaknesses of El Tri.
Colombia attacked first, taking advantage of set pieces, and broke away in the second half with quick counterattacks. Here’s the timeline of the goals:
The victory extends their unbeaten streak against Mexico to four matches (three wins, one draw) over the past two decades, reinforcing their psychological dominance in head-to-head matches. It boosts confidence in their preparations for the 2026 World Cup, with stars like Díaz (Liverpool) and Rodríguez proving decisive. Debutant Kevin Serna impressed off the bench, adding depth to the squad.
Colombia’s FIFA ranking could rise further (Colombia is ranked ~12th in the world). Tactically, it validates coach Néstor Lorenzo’s fluid 4-2-3-1 system, which emphasizes set pieces and transitions. Coming up: Friendlies to fine-tune preparation for the CONMEBOL qualifiers.
Wake-up call: As co-hosts of the 2026 tournament, this humiliating defeat (the heaviest in a friendly since 2019) intensifies scrutiny of coach Jaime Lozano. Defensive lapses from set pieces and poor finishing (only two shots on goal) evoke issues from the team’s recent Nations League struggles, and fans are questioning the selection and the team’s mentality.
Immediate pressure is mounting ahead of the October 14 friendly against Ecuador; tactical adjustments, such as strengthening the midfield defense, are expected.
Wider implications include possible calls for youth integration or the return of European players to bridge the gap between CONCACAF and CONMEBOL, as highlighted in the post-match speech. The attendance at the AT&T stadium underscored the American fans’ support for Mexico, but the result could erode enthusiasm if not addressed.
The match underscores CONMEBOL’s growing advantage over CONCACAF, with Colombian talent from European leagues (e.g., Díaz and Lerma) outperforming the Mexican roster, which has a strong presence in Liga MX. There are no previous World Cup meetings, but a potential 2026 group stage clash looms as a possibility after this one.
On X (formerly Twitter), reactions were polarized and viral:
Colombian fans celebrated a “beautiful day for Colombian soccer,” linking the victory to youth triumphs such as the 3-2 U-20 World Cup semifinal against Spain. Posts praised it as “a masterclass in soccer for Mexico.”
Mexican fans expressed dismay, calling it a “disaster” and a “horrible night,” with memes and criticism of the first goal, calling it “unacceptable” for a World Cup contender.
A viral thread debated the role of globalization, pointing to Mexico’s outdated perception of superiority.
Neutral opinions highlighted the emotional U.S. hosting, with more than 15,000 interactions on highlights and analysis within hours.
Colombia emerges stronger; its pragmatic yet stylish style is a model for World Cup contenders. The rebirth of James Rodríguez is a narrative triumph in itself.
For Mexico, this is a stark reminder: hosting the tournament demands evolution, not complacency. The 4-0 margin isn’t just a scoreline; it’s a catalyst for introspection about talent pools and tactics. In a rivalry with no World Cup history, this friendly tips the balance in Colombia’s favor for 2026, but friendlies are dress rehearsals: Ecuador awaits Mexico’s redemption.
