What the 2-0 win over Canada means for this third "Vasco" Aguirre era
El Tri advances to another Nations League final and hopes to finally win it and add more to the trophy case
There were plenty of smiles on Thursday night. Javier “Vasco” Aguirre led Mexico to a meaningful 2-0 win over Jesse Marsch’s Canada. The victory puts El Tri in great position to finally win a Nations League title, but the game itself showed us glimpses of what’s to come as Mexico prepare to be a World Cup host for a record third time.
Prior to the game, there were many things in my mind. From the possibility of seeing Santi Gimenez and Raul Jimenez go from the start to the role of Alexis Vega on the pitch to how Rafa Marquez was going to organize El Tri’s defense. There were just too many moving parts that Vasco and Marquez had to control in order to pull off the 2-0 win over Concacaf’s best representative in last year’s Copa America.
A style more reflective of teams like Uruguay, Italy
Back in 2016 when Juan Carlos Osorio was in charge, Mexico defeated Canada 3-0 in Vancouver. A lot has happened since then, two World Cups have flown by, and Canada is on the verge of participating in back-to-back World Cups.
What stood out in that game was Mexico’s offensive scheme, with Chicharito Hernandez, Tecatito Corona and Chucky Lozano leading it. All three netted goals.
Mexico finished that game with 52% possession and nine shots on goal against Canada’s two. It was a complete baile.
Nine years later in a must win scenario and in Los Angeles, Canada lost 2-0 to Mexico but with a 57% possession and more passes than Mexico. For most part of the 90 minutes, Canada had control of the ball, and El Tri suffered.
Many times when El Tri plays teams such as Brazil or Germany, the stats read very similar to what happened on Thursday night. It was one of the few times, that Mexico were OK in letting Canada, a Concacaf side, take the initiative.
With the presence of Santi and Raul up top, it caused disruption in Canada’s defense, that’s why by the end of the first half, three of Canada’s four defenders already had a yellow card. Uruguay, for many years, combined the talents of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani up top. Playing with two strikers is still possible in today’s game.
El Tri made the game physical, and they didn’t back down against an opponent with talented players that are leaving their mark in this year’s Champions League.
With Erik Lira in the midfield, El Tri won a lot in defensive duties. Lira embodies the new style that Vasco and Marquez are adding to the team. It’s a very luchador identity. The tactical positioning off the ball still requires more practice, but with Johan Vazquez leading the defense, there’s room for a lot of improvement. Like the best Italian defenders, Vazquez spoke and made commands throughout the 90 minutes, and his teammates listened.
Piojo Alvarado increased his defensive duties and helped out Israel Reyes multiple times. It’s those little things that propelled Mexico to victory.
Let’s use the analogy of a boxing fight. On Thursday night, El Tri took many hits, but they were able to come up with their own and make Canada pay.
Against Canada, El Tri showed that they know how to suffer and not always feel trapped in this vicious circle of always taking initiative, especially in Concacaf play. The game is changing, and El Tri showed in Los Angeles, that they’re also evolving. The minds of Vasco and Rafa are brewing something.
The midfield still needs serious work
There’s a lot of work to do with the midfield. The hard work was put on display, but El Tri lacked creative play. Maybe that’s the sacrifice. By focusing so much on defensive shape and counter-attacks, Mexico will lose a bit of the pause in the midfield.
The possible addition of Alvaro Fidalgo will be crucial to see an evolution in El Tri’s midfield. Fidalgo will bring in the IQ necessary to elevate El Tri’s creative mode in the midfield. Maybe finding ways of adding Vega more centrally will help as well. Too many times, his skills get disoriented when he starts plays from the wings. It’s important to see Vega get more touches on the ball, and those might best come in the middle of the field, just outside the box.
With the return of Cesar Montes, it will be interesting to see if Edson Alvarez heads back to the midfield, or if Vasco-Marquez decide to keep the same backline. Lira’s performance is excellent news because he represents the ideal link between the defense and midfield, giving more room to focus on how the offense can be more proactive.
If this year ends with Nations League and Gold Cup success, is it OK to dream?
After the win, there’s a sense of normalcy. That even among the chaos Mexican football is always immersed in, there’s a chance to find relative peace in the national team. Success in 2025 means that Vasco-Marquez will be able to work in peace, finding the right XI for the 2026 World Cup debut.
What the players experience starting Sunday night is what will shape the team come the World Cup. From the outside, you see a lot of unity, and the players look happy to be in the national team. The intensity offered by the players off the bench was a great sign on Thursday night.
Seeing Julian Quiñones run after every ball is what you want to see.
As suggested earlier this year when El Tri traveled to South America, this team is evolving. Let’s hope that it turns out to be a masterpiece painted by Vasco and Marquez, two Mexican football figures that represent two different generations. Vasco’s old school manners, and Marquez’s modern ideals learned at Barcelona could leave a long-standing effect in El Tri.
At least, that’s the dream.