The Mexico team started off on the right foot with his participation in the World Cup 2026 by defeating 2-0 South Africa in the opening match played in the Aztec Stadium. However, for Javier Aguirrethe positive result did not hide an aspect that was evident during several passages of the match: the nervousness of some footballers due to the magnitude of the scenario.
The Mexican strategist celebrated the first three points of the tournament, although he acknowledged that especially the younger players felt the emotional weight of debuting in a World Cup organized at home.
“It was the start of the World Cup, so we already put our nerves aside and we have these three points that are very good for us,” highlighted the coach.
Aguirre recognizes that the World Cup debut generated pressure on several players
After the meeting, Javier Aguirre He explained that the context of the opening match had an important emotional impact within the squad. He mentioned that playing in front of a packed stadium, with the expectation of millions of fans and the responsibility of opening the tournament caused some elements to not show their best version during certain moments of the match.
“It’s a brutal scene this World Cup, That makes my legs shake a little. and that makes the player think. The stage is very big. The emotional state, very strong. I think that Some, not all, found the scenario a little weighing on them. An inauguration at home is heavy, but they are young and they had to live the experience.”
Mexico dominated the game, but missed opportunities
Although the Mexico team achieved a relatively comfortable victory thanks to the scores of Julian Quiñones and Raul Jimenezthe coaching staff considers that the score could have been wider.
The team generated multiple opportunities in front of the South African goal, but the lack of precision in the final meters prevented the difference from being greater.
For Aguirre, the offensive production was positive, although there is room for improvement in decision-making and forcefulness within the rival area.
“We didn’t play well in the first half, but We could have gone 3-0 and no one would have said anything.. They only came there once. Then we got more complicated. The second goal relaxed us and we were no longer vertical“But for the first game, I think we had a good performance,” he stressed.
Javier Aguirre points out the main aspect to correct
Beyond the victory, the national coach made it clear what will be one of the team’s priorities for the next matches of the tournament.
The generation of offensive plays was constant, but there was a lack of precision in the last pass and greater forcefulness in front of the rival goal.
“We had 16 arrivals, 12 crosses, but we were not very good in the last thirdwe must specify more, that is what we are going to work on because all the possession we achieved is not enough. We never suffered at the back, so if we had been more forceful the situation would have been calmer,” he said.
The next challenge for the Mexican team in the 2026 World Cup
With the first three points in the pocket, the Mexico team He is already focusing on his next commitment within the group stage of the World Cup 2026.
The group led by Javier Aguirre will face South Korea next June 18 at Akron Stadium of Guadalajara, a duel that could bring the team closer to the round of 16.
Subsequently, the first round will close against Czechia in the Mexico Cityin a match that could be decisive in defining the final positions of the group.
Keep reading:
– Raúl Jiménez cries after his first goal in a World Cup and dedicates it to his recently deceased father
– Mexico starts the 2026 World Cup on the right foot by beating South Africa
– Son Heung-min does not believe that the 2026 World Cup will be his farewell
– Canelo Álvarez made a juicy bet on Mexico’s preference for the start of the 2026 World Cup
