Mexico beat Australia 1-0 on the final day of the World Cup group stage World Cup 2026

The warm-up game was modeled after the World Cup, including a cooling-off period for the players, at the Rose Bowl.

World Cup rivals Mexico enjoyed a confidence-building 1-0 win over Australia in front of a huge crowd in the United States and the result left coaches from both sides with tough decisions to make before naming their squads for the tournament.

Johan Vasquez’s header from a set piece in the 28th minute on Saturday gave Mexico a much-improved lead, which held off a good second half from the Socceroos after the start at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

Mexico coach Javier Aguirre made nine changes from the starting 11 beat Ghana 2-0 in a relationship in Puebla, Mexico, last week.

All 48 participating nations must send their 26-man squads to FIFA by Monday for the tournament, which begins on June 11 and will be played in Mexico, the US and Canada.

There was a lot to like about his touchline performance, barring a huge defensive error that should have cost him a tie in extra time before the big time.

A long ball forward disrupted Mexico with midfielder Luis Chavez heading towards Mohammed Toure on the edge of the area when goalkeeper Raul Rangel stopped his line.

But the Socceroos striker conceded a merciless goal, drawing the attention of the pro-Mexico crowd of 78,479.

This was Australia’s only chance in the first half in which they were under siege.

Chavez fired long after 10 minutes, and goalkeeper Mat Ryan had to make a save 15 minutes later when he headed Alexis Vega’s close range over the bar.

The pressure was on as Vega swung in a corner and Vasquez rose above Aiden O’Neill to hit a header from the left.

Based on the conditions of the World Cup, the friendlies included mid-life drinksbut their timing – the first in the 32nd minute and the second in the 79th – looked confusingly ad hoc. The teams were also allowed 11 substitutes in the friendly competition compared to six in regular World Cup matches, and used their quota liberally.

Aguirre replaced Rangel and stopped 40-year-old Guillermo Ochoa for the second half to the delight of Mexican fans, then made five substitutions in the 60th minute, including stabbing 17-year-old striker Gilberto Mora.

Popovic followed through with four changes after eight minutes and was rewarded when substitute Kai Trewin found Ajdin Hrustic in the area, but the midfielder fired straight at Ochoa.

In the 76th minute, Mexico’s goal was disallowed from a free kick that was taken too quickly by the referee, which led to a team fight between the teams before being dropped again.

Mexico plays its World Cup opener against South Africa in Mexico City before facing South Korea and the Czech Republic.

Australia begin their campaign against Turkey on June 13 as well as facing the US and Paraguay.