Japan makes three substitutions: Minamino, Kubo, and Kamada are off, replaced by Junya Ito, Daizen Maeda, and Kaishu Sano. There’s a foul for Mexico, and Jesús Gallardo takes the free kick, aiming for Chucky Lozano, but Lozano can’t reach the ball, and it goes out of bounds for a throw-in.
Mexico has a free kick following a foul by Erik Lira on Japan’s number 8, Minamino. Chucky Lozano will take the free kick; the shot was blocked by Suzuki, and the initial attempt was by Erick Lira. Japan is preparing three substitutions.
Yellow card for Marcel Ruiz for a foul on captain Wataru Endo. Take Kubo shoots at goal, but Jorge Sánchez blocks the shot. Mexico has avoided conceding the first goal to Japan. Malagón sends the ball upfield to Santiago.
Mexico makes four attacking substitutions: Santiago Giménez, Germán Berterame, Hirving Chucky Lozano, and Erick Sánchez come on to replace Alexis Vega, Piojo Alvarado, Raúl Jiménez, and Orbelín Pineda.
Ko Itakura goes down with a knee injury. Hiroki Sekine prepares to come on as a substitute, while Edson Álvarez, who was already on the bench, leaves the field to go to the locker room. Japan makes its first substitution due to injury, and Mexico is about to make two substitutions.
Takumi Minamino’s shot went over the crossbar and into the stands. Now Mexico is looking to respond; Roberto Alvarado also had a shot that went high over Suzuki’s goal, that being the clearest scoring opportunity so far. The score remains 0-0 in the second half.
Orbelín Pineda commits a foul on Take Kubo to stop a Japanese attack, as Japan was looking to score the first goal of the match. Mexico hasn’t had any real scoring opportunities; Kubo looks like Messi, effortlessly dribbling past defenders in the penalty area, and three defenders have to come over to mark him.
Ayase Ueda almost scored for Japan, but Mexico had Malagón to save the goal. Raúl Jiménez wins a free kick, and Alexis Vega takes the shot, but his cross is cleared by the defense, and no one can get a shot on goal.
This is the final play of the match, with Luis Ángel Malagón clearing the ball. There’s a problem involving Japan, as Takefusa Kubo is down on the ground. There will be one more minute of added time. Kubo’s foul was provoked by a foul committed by Johan Vázquez.
Alexis and Piojo were looking to create a chance in the center of the field, but they couldn’t get the ball into the penalty area. There’s some trouble on the field; Minamino is fouled by Jorge Sánchez, and Mitoma pulls off a skillful move past Piojo Alvarado. Japan will have a free kick.
The game improved somewhat as Mexico started looking for more attacking options. The Mexican fans are singing, cheering, and urging their team to react; they haven’t stopped singing for a moment throughout the match. This is a passionate fanbase that always makes its presence felt when the Mexican national team comes to the United States.
Alexis Vega almost set up the first goal for Mexico National Team with a counter-attack. However, Japan regrouped and defended well, and the 0-0 scoreline looks likely to remain until halftime. Japan is better.
Luis Ángel Malagón almost made a mistake that could have led to Japan’s first goal. Edson Álvarez has also been substituted, with Cruz Azul player Erik Lira coming on in his place. Javier Aguirre is shouting instructions from the bench, urging his players to react; Kubo almost scored a goal.
Alarm bells are ringing in Mexico because Edson Álvarez has suffered an injury and has fallen to the ground. He is touching his left thigh, and Orbelín Pineda is approaching the bench to receive instructions from the coaching staff.
Raúl Jiménez hasn’t been able to get on the ball, and the Mexican striker has become frustrated because he hasn’t had any scoring opportunities. Jorge Sánchez blocks Minamino’s shot, and Mexico is safe.
Edson Álvarez’s header went over Suzuki’s goal; Marcel, Alexis Vega, and Gallardo combined to set up the play, starting with a great recovery by Orbelín Pineda. Mexico continues to struggle on the field.
Roberto Alvarado crosses the ball into the area, but Zion Suzuki clears it well. His height allowed him to intercept a potential shot from Raúl Jiménez. Japan continues to be the better team in the first half, and Vega commits a foul on Endo.
Ritsu Doan had the first goal of the match, with a shot over Malagón’s head; Sánchez ultimately cleared it off the line. Mexico launched a counter-attack with Alexis Vega, but lost possession due to a lack of pace, and the good defending prevented them from reaching the goal. Doan then recovered possession of the ball.
Mexico can’t get past midfield; Jesús Gallardo passes to Marcel Ruiz, who then plays the ball to Orbelín Pineda, looking to create an opportunity down the flank with Jorge Sánchez. From there, Ruiz continues the build-up play, moving the ball around in midfield, and Raúl Jiménez needs to drop deeper to receive the ball.
Great save by Luis Angel Malagón! Takefusa Kubo attempted a shot from distance, following a good move by Mitoma to find Kubo in space. The shot was powerful and long-range, but the América goalkeeper made a fine one-handed save.
Mitoma tries to move the ball to the flank, but Mexico loses possession when Jesús Gallardo intercepts the pass. Marcel Ruiz then passes the ball to Malagón. Mexico hasn’t been able to penetrate Japan’s defensive area, and the four-man backline is still struggling to contain Japan’s attacks.
Luis Ángel Malagón defends well and passes the ball to Marcel Ruiz; Johan Vázquez joins him to help clear the ball. Mexico is playing well, moving the ball around to try and get out of their own area under pressure from Takefuso Kubo.
The first 45 minutes of the match have begun. We’re about to see all the exciting action that fans love. Today promises to be a great game, with goals, fouls, cards, and above all, plenty of entertainment. The referee blows his whistle and the match is underway.
We’ll bring you live coverage on VAVEL of the final friendly match between the Mexican National Team and Japan, from the Oakland Coliseum. We’ll be back with more in a few minutes. Stay tuned to VAVEL for live coverage.
Both teams are already doing their stretching exercises, in preparation for the start of this friendly match between the Mexican national team and Japan, taking place at Oakland Coliseum Stadium. The fans are very enthusiastic, and the home team is the favorite to win.
Mexico starting lineup: Luis Ángel Malagón, Jorge Sánchez, César Montes, Johan Vázquez, Jesús Gallardo, Orbelín Pineda, Edson Álvarez, Marcel Ruiz, Roberto Alvarado, Raúl Jiménez, Alexis Vega.
Manager: Javier Aguirre
We’re just moments away from bringing you the Mexico vs. Japan friendly match live on VAVEL from Oakland Coliseum Stadium, but we’ll take a short break. We’ll be back in a few minutes to show you the confirmed lineups.
Everything is ready for the players of both teams to arrive; the locker rooms are fully equipped with all the necessary items. This promises to be a thrilling match in the friendly game between the Mexican National Team and Japan, to be played at Oakland Coliseum Stadium. We’ll have more information shortly.
We’re here live from Oakland Coliseum Stadium for the friendly match between the Mexican National Team and Japan. The starting lineups have been confirmed for this exciting match. Stay tuned to VAVEL for more updates and information about the game. We’ll be back shortly.
In a few moments, we will share the starting lineups for Inter Miami vs. Seattle Sounders in the Leagues Cup, along with the latest news from Oakland Coliseum, including player quotes, key players to watch, and interesting facts about both teams. Don’t miss a single moment of the match with VAVEL’s live, minute-by-minute coverage.
Takefusa Kubo, the Real Sociedad player, is the most important figure in this Japanese national team and a true icon for Japan. But there are also several other outstanding players on the roster, including some who are already familiar with Mexican players, such as Takumi Minamino, Ayase Ueda, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, and Kou Itakura.
This is the possible starting lineup Mexico could field against Japan: Luis Ángel Malagón in goal; Jesús Gallardo, Johan Vásquez, César Montes, Rodrigo Huescas, Erick Lira, Carlos Rodríguez, Marcel Ruiz, Alexis Vega, Raúl Jiménez, and Roberto Alvarado.
The players to watch for the Mexican national team in this match are Santiago Jiménez and Raúl Jiménez, the two forwards who have played together before under Javier Aguirre. While they have performed well as a pair, they seem to function best when playing as central strikers alongside wingers. We also can’t overlook Alexis Vega, one of the most consistent players in the Mexican league and the captain of Toluca. Although he hasn’t scored many goals, he has been the player with the most assists in this tournament.
This FIFA matchday sees Mexico take on two Asian opponents, a challenging task for the Mexican team. These are not easy opponents, but they are also not unfamiliar. Javier Aguirre, who previously coached the Japanese national team, knows the Japanese squad very well, and the same applies to the upcoming match against South Korea. Mexico has extensive experience against these two teams, both in friendly matches and in important tournaments such as the Olympics and the World Cup.
Welcome to our live coverage of the match between the Mexican National Team and Japan, an international friendly in preparation for the 2025 season, taking place at Oakland Coliseum Stadium. Stay tuned to VAVEL for more news and updates about this match during this FIFA international break.
AloJapan.com