In their first of two consecutive games in North America New Zealand travels to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena for a friendly match with Mexico on Saturday.

El Tri drew 0-0 with Ecuador in their last meeting to eliminate them in the group stages of the Copa America, while the All Whites beat Vanuatu 3-0 in the Oceania Nations Cup in June.

Game Preview

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The early elimination from the group stage of the Copa America was the straw that broke the camel’s back Jaime Lozano as head coach of the Mexican national team because he decided to resign despite being offered a contract extension by the association.

In his place, Mexican fans will see a familiar face in Javier Aguirrewho will coach this team for the third time: he led them to the round of 16 at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups and played for the 1986 team that reached the quarter-finals.

The 65-year-old takes over a team that has lost four of its last five competitive games and failed to score a goal in three of those matches.

This time, however, his stay will only be temporary. Rafael Marquezwho played under Aguirre at two previous World Cups, is already on the list to succeed him at the 2026 World Cup.

So far in 2024, Mexico has won only one of its five matches against teams outside CONCACAF: Bolivia in a friendly last May (1-0).

Mexico are winless in their last five games in California, but last beat Peru 1-0 in Pasadena in September 2022.

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It has been a dominant summer for New Zealand, who impressively won the OFC Nations Cup by defeating Vanuatu in the final to lift the trophy for the sixth time.

Darren BazeleyThe team won all four games in this tournament without conceding a goal and scored three or more goals in each match.

This year, the team has not conceded a goal in five or six international matches and has suffered only one defeat in regular time: 0-1 in a friendly against Egypt in March.

While they performed well against their own region, the situation was different against teams outside Oceania: The All Whites remained winless in seven consecutive matches against teams outside their region, including their arch-rivals Australia, who compete in Asian competitions.

Saturday will be their first match against a CONCACAF opponent since their 2022 World Cup dreams were dashed by Costa Rica, who beat them 1-0 in an inter-confederation playoff that same year.

New Zealand have lost all six previous meetings against El Tri in all competitions, but squandered a 1-0 half-time lead to lose 2-1 at the 2017 Confederations Cup.

Form of friendly matches in Mexico:

Mexico Form (All Competitions):

Form of New Zealand friendlies:

New Zealand form (all competitions):

Team News

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Only one player who was called up to the Mexican squad for the upcoming friendly match did not play for the senior national team. Alex Padilla was chosen ahead of veterans Guillermo Ochoadespite the fact that he and the other two goalkeepers selected, Raul Rangel And Luis Malagonhave only made five international appearances in total.

Luis Romo can reach 50 international matches this weekend with El Tri and Roberto Alvarado is only five away from reaching the same milestone.

Henry Martin is currently the best scorer in Liga MX, with four goals in the Apertura, even with Jose Raul Zunigawhile Santiago Gimenez is in second place in the Eredivisie with two goals.

As for New Zealand, Kosta Barbarouses can play his 61st international match and is thus level with Ricky Herbert for fifth place all time.

Chris Woodthe second best player of this team and record goalscorer (34 goals), can play his 75th international match this weekend.

Alex Paulson is their least experienced player selected for this international window, as the Auckland FC goalkeeper has only one appearance to his name, while defender Dalton Wilkins has two.

Possible starting eleven for Mexico:
Padilla; Araujo, Montes, Vasquez, Gallardo; Pineda, Romo, Chavez; Lainez, Gimenez, Vega

Possible New Zealand starting eleven:
Crocombe; Payne, Tuiloma, Smith, Cacace; Bell, Stamenic; Garbett, Waine, Just; Wood

We think: Mexico 1-0 New Zealand

New Zealand hasn’t faced any serious opponents in quite some time and we expect the rejuvenated Mexican team to impress their new coach and eventually find a way to beat them.

Click here to see a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match.

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