Mexico vs Serbia: Five-Star El Tri Leave Serbia Shell-Shocked Ahead of FIFA World Cup

Mexico ended their 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations with an exceptional 5-1 victory over Serbia in a friendly at the Estadio Nemesio Díez in Toluca. The match didn’t start as expected by the Mexican fans, as Serbia took an early lead in the match, but soon the tides started to turn. Coach Javier Aguirre’s Mexican team poured in five goals into the net and sent a strong statement to their Group Stage rivals that they are prepared to dominate.

The match started a bit rough for the Mexicans as the Serbians took an early lead in the 18th minute of the match courtesy of a goal by Petar Stanić scored with a perfect right-footed shot from the box's centre to the bottom left corner. The goal made the crowd go silent, but the Mexican players weren’t just sitting around to lose, and they quickly turned around with a fantastic equaliser scored by Johan Vásquez in the 33rd minute of the game. Once the lead was gone, the Serbians were finding it hard to stay on track, but they were making frequent mistakes, and one such mistake cost them another goal when one of their defenders, Stefan Bukarina, accidentally scored an own goal just before the half-time whistle, giving Mexico a lead of 2-1 in the game at half-time, and the momentum completely shifted in their favour.

As the second half commenced, El Tri broke the Serbian defence shackles with the help of the Mexican midfield duo Álvaro Fidalgo and Brian Gutiérrez. Fidalgo was exceptional with the ball, playing smoothly and elegantly. Driving the one-on-one passes, long through balls and even short presses. On the other hand, Gutiérrez was super energetic, always asking for the ball and troubling the Serbians and also eventually setting up a vital goal too in the game.

This led to more goals soon after. Veteran Raúl Jiménez made it 3-1 in the 56th minute, finishing clinically with his left foot. Serbia's team, filled mainly with younger players managed by Veljko Paunović, just couldn’t handle Mexico’s attack. Things got worse for them when substitute Adem Avdić accidentally scored in his own net in the 71st minute. Near the end, another sub, Luis Chávez, finished off the match with a fantastic left-footed shot that went straight into the top left corner, sealing the 5-1 victory.

Once the defence was broken, it was bound to be a goal feast for the Mexicans, which exactly happened. Veteran Mexican player Raúl Jiménez made the scoreline 3-1 in the 56th minute, finishing clinically with his left foot. The Serbian team under their manager Veljko Paunović had played a relatively younger and less experienced team, which found it difficult to take on the Mexican forward line’s heat. Near the end, another sub, Luis Chávez, finished off the match with a fantastic left-footed shot that went straight into the top left corner, sealing the 5-1 victory.

Sportscape thinks Mexico's big win against Serbia gives them a huge confidence boost going into the World Cup. Sure, the Serbian team was weaker than usual, but El Tri coming back from behind and taking advantage of their mistakes shows some great offensive skills. Plus, the sparkly partnership in midfield between Fidalgo and Gutiérrez looks like it could really pay off. It seems manager Javier Aguirre has figured out just the right tactics to make this tournament a standout one for them.