Mexico could use a pair of convincing performances during the September international window to win back its supporters and tone down the media criticism of recent months which has placed manager Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino firmly in the crosshairs. It starts with Saturday’s match against Peru at the Rose Bowl.
After a positive start to his tenure at the helm of Mexico’s men’s national team, the last year has been a difficult one for Martino.
A series of losses to heated rivals USA, other punchless displays, and a general goal-scoring malaise have created an air of pessimism ahead of the 2022 World Cup where the minimum expectation is the same as every World Cup: the ‘quinto partido’ (a fifth game in the quarterfinals).
As it stands, Mexico will need to be at their best just to get out of Group C, where they have to face Argentina, Poland, and Saudi Arabia and successfully finish among the top two teams in order to simply reach the knockout rounds. The prospect of facing Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski is not inspiring confidence among El Tri fans.
Peru fell just short of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, falling on penalties in a playoff against Australia. That led to a coaching change and the Juan Reynoso era will begin against Mexico. ‘El Cabezon’ knows El Tri and its players well, having coached Liga MX side Cruz Azul and led them to their first championship in 23 years.
The Sporting News is following the Mexico vs Peru match live and providing live score updates, commentary.
MORE: All about Mexico’s Group C opponents at the World Cup
Mexico vs Peru live score
1H | 2H | Final | |
Mexico | — | — | — |
Peru | — | — | — |
Goals:
None
Mexico vs Peru live updates, highlights from World Cup friendly
120 mins from kickoff: Whether or not Tata Martino really skipped the open training session prior to the Mexico-Peru match to avoid “Fuera Tata” (Tata Out) chants, the fact that the news got out means he’ll definitely be hearing it during the match at the Rose Bowl.
The latest “scandal” in Mexico centers on Tata Martino’s decision to skip at an open training session for paying fans at the Rose Bowl, to avoid the Fuera Tata chants.
“If Tata Martino isn’t up for it then say thank you and bring in someone who will face the situation.” https://t.co/msomsJIxeO
— Felipe Cárdenas (@FelipeCar) September 24, 2022
Mexico vs Peru lineups
Players like right-back Kevin Alvarez, winger Roberto ‘Piojo’ Alvarado, and forwards Henry Martin and Santi Gimenez are among the players hoping to impress enough to lock up their ticket to Qatar.
A host of players are expected to be sidelined due to various knocks (Hector Herrera, Jorge Sanchez, Rogelio Funes Mori and Raul Jimenez have been named), while Luis Romo and Alexis Vega could join them. ‘Tecatito’ Corona is not with the group out with a long-term injury (fractured fibula).
Mexico projected starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Guillermo ‘Memo’ Ochoa (GK) — Kevin Alvarez, Cesar Montes, Hector Moreno, Jesus Gallardo — ‘Charly’ Rodriguez, Edson Alvarez, Luis Chavez — Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano, Henry Martin, Roberto ‘Piojo’ Alvarado
Mexico projected subs (16): Alfredo Talavera (GK), Rodolfo Cota (GK), Nestor Araujo, Gerardo Arteaga, Jesus Angulo, Johan Vazquez, Fernando ‘Nene’ Beltran, Erick Gutierrez, Erick Sanchez, Luis Romo, Andres Guardado, Diego Lainez, Orbelin Pineda, Alexis Vega, Uriel Antuna, Santiago Gimenez
We’ll see whether new manager Juan Reynoso lines up the team similarly to his predecessor with reports that he’ll be opting for a 4-2-3-1 with forward Gianluca Lapadula leading the line. The projected lineups in the Peruvian media are unclear whether it will be Aldo Corozo or Luis Advincula at right-back. Peru regulars Yoshimar Yotun and Andy Polo are not on the team due to injury.
Peru projected starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Pedro Gallese (GK) — Luis Advincula, Anderson Santamaria, Alexander Callens, Marcos Lopez — Renato Tapia, Pedro Aquino — Andre Carrillo, Edison Flores, Christian Cueva — Gianluca Lapadula
Peru projected subs (15): Carvallo (GK), Duarte (GK), Zambrano, Corzo, Abram, Araujo, Loyola, Cartagena, Pena, Gonzalez, Quispe, Ormeno, Reyna, Valera, Ruidiaz
MORE: The Mexican cities that will be hosting the 2026 World Cup
Mexico vs Peru TV channel, live stream
Date | Time | TV Channel | Streaming | |
Mexico | Sat, Sept. 24 | 20:00 CDT | TV Azteca 7, Canal 5, TUDN | ViX, Azteca Deportes |
Peru | Sat, Sept. 24 | 20:00 PST | Movistar Deportes, Latina Television | Movistar Play |
USA | Sat, Sept. 24 | 21:00 ET | Univision, TUDN | fuboTV, TUDN site/app |
The match from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California will be broadcast in the USA on Univision and simulcast on TUDN, with both channels available to stream on fuboTV.
The head referee will be Bryan Lopez from Guatemala, and he’ll team up with twin U.S. assistant referees Ian and Frank Anderson, as well as fourth official Walter Lopez, also of Guatemala. There will be no VAR for the match.
George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism