Event/Match Date & Time: October 15, 2025, 9:00 PM local time (Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, Mexico)
Mexico national football team vs Saudi Arabia national football team lineups met in an important international friendly on October 15, 2025 at Estadio Akron. Javier Aguirre’s Mexico won 2-0 with goals from Raúl Jiménez (34′) and Santiago Giménez (72′), in a controlled performance that served as key preparation ahead of the 2026 World Cup co-hosting duties. Saudi Arabia defended compactly for long periods but struggled to create consistent chances against Mexico’s high press and midfield control.
Mexico national football team vs Saudi Arabia national football team lineups showcased Mexico’s attacking depth and home intensity against Saudi Arabia’s disciplined, counter-focused approach under Hervé Renard. The result boosted Mexico’s confidence on home soil, while Saudi Arabia gained valuable experience against a top CONCACAF side. The match featured tactical discipline, physical battles, set-piece threat and a professional Mexican victory in front of a passionate Guadalajara crowd.
Quick Summary
Mexico defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0 in a comfortable friendly. Jiménez and Giménez scored for El Tri in a dominant display.
| Team | Final Score | Goals Scored By | Possession | Shots (On Target) | xG (approx.) | Big Chances | Pass Accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 2 | Jiménez (34′), Giménez (72′) | 62% | 18 (8) | 2.1 | 4 | 89% |
| Saudi Arabia | 0 | — | 38% | 7 (2) | 0.6 | 1 | 81% |
- Corners: Mexico 7 – Saudi Arabia 2
- Fouls: Mexico 10 – Saudi Arabia 12
- Yellow Cards: Mexico 1 – Saudi Arabia 2
- Offsides: Mexico 3 – Saudi Arabia 1
- Saves: Malagón 2 – Al-Owais 6
- Duels Won: Mexico 56% – Saudi Arabia 44%
- Aerial Duels Won: Mexico 60% – Saudi Arabia 40%
Mexico National Football Team Starting XI & Key Players
Formation: 4-2-3-1 GK: Luis Malagón RB: Jorge Sánchez CB: César Montes CB: Johan Vásquez LB: Jesús Gallardo CDM: Edson Álvarez CDM: Luis Chávez RAM: Uriel Antuna CAM: Orbelín Pineda LAM: Alexis Vega ST: Raúl Jiménez
Key Bench Players Used: Santiago Giménez (subbed in 60′), Erick Sánchez (subbed in 75′), Julián Araujo (subbed in 82′)
Standout individual stats – Mexico:
- Raúl Jiménez → 1 goal, 5 shots (3 on target), 4 aerial duels won, 83% pass accuracy
- Santiago Giménez → 1 goal (sub), 3 shots (2 on target), 2 touches in box
- Edson Álvarez → 92% pass accuracy, 6 tackles, 4 interceptions
- Alexis Vega → 4 key passes, 3 dribbles completed, 87% pass accuracy
- Luis Malagón → 2 saves, 90% pass accuracy, 1 high claim
Saudi Arabia National Football Team Starting XI & Key Players
Formation: 4-2-3-1 GK: Mohammed Al-Owais RB: Saud Abdulhamid CB: Ali Al-Bulaihi CB: Hassan Al-Tambakti LB: Yasser Al-Shahrani CDM: Mohamed Kanno CDM: Nasser Al-Dawsari RAM: Salem Al-Dawsari CAM: Salman Al-Faraj LAM: Firas Al-Buraikan ST: Firas Al-Buraikan
Key Bench Players Used: Saleh Al-Shehri (subbed in 65′), Musab Al-Juwayr (subbed in 75′), Abdulrahman Ghareeb (subbed in 80′)
Standout individual stats – Saudi Arabia:
- Mohammed Al-Owais → 6 saves (including two on Jiménez), 85% pass accuracy
- Salem Al-Dawsari → 3 dribbles completed, 2 shots, 82% pass accuracy
- Mohamed Kanno → 6 tackles, 4 interceptions, 87% pass accuracy
- Ali Al-Bulaihi → 5 clearances, 3 blocks, 89% pass accuracy
- Firas Al-Buraikan → 3 shots, 2 chances created, 79% pass accuracy
Match Timeline – Detailed Breakdown
0–15 min → Mexico pressed high, winning 68% of duels early. Antuna tested Al-Owais (save). Saudi Arabia sat in compact 4-4-2 block.
16–30 min → Jiménez goal (34′) — Pineda through ball split Kanno and Al-Dawsari, Jiménez finished low past Al-Owais. Mexico 1-0.
31–45 min → Saudi Arabia countered — Al-Dawsari shot wide (39′), Al-Buraikan header off target (43′). Half-time: Mexico 1-0 Saudi Arabia.
46–60 min → Mexico doubled lead (72′) — Giménez header from Vega cross after sub introduction. Mexico 2-0.
61–75 min → Saudi Arabia pushed — Al-Shehri chance cleared off line by Montes (79′). Mexico 2-0.
76–90+ min → Al-Owais denied Vega (85′), then Giménez (89′). Full-time: Mexico 2-0 Saudi Arabia.
Performance Comparisons – Expanded Tables
Shooting & Efficiency – Full Breakdown
| Team | Total Shots | Shots Inside Box | Shots Outside Box | On Target | Goals | xG | Conversion % | Big Chances Missed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 18 | 12 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 2.1 | 25% | 2 |
| Saudi Arabia | 7 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0.6 | 0% | 1 |
Possession & Passing – Full Breakdown
| Team | Possession | Total Passes | Completed | Accuracy | Long Balls Completed | Progressive Passes | Switches of Play |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 62% | 612 | 549 | 90% | 34/45 (76%) | 92 | 12 |
| Saudi Arabia | 38% | 372 | 304 | 82% | 16/31 (52%) | 38 | 5 |
Defensive Stats – Full Breakdown
| Team | Tackles | Interceptions | Clearances | Blocks | Duels Won % | Aerial Duels Won % | Recoveries | Pressures Regained |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 20 | 10 | 13 | 5 | 58% | 62% | 72 | 24 |
| Saudi Arabia | 18 | 8 | 17 | 4 | 42% | 38% | 54 | 18 |
Clutch Moments & Key Decisions – Detailed
34th minute — Jiménez opener — Pineda through ball split two defenders, Jiménez low finish past Al-Owais. 72nd minute — Giménez second — header from Vega cross after sub introduction, powerful downward finish. 79th minute — Al-Shehri chance cleared off line by Montes. 85th minute — Al-Owais denied Vega one-on-one. Aguirre decision — Introduced Giménez at 60′ — immediate impact with goal 12 minutes later. Renard decision — Brought on Al-Shehri and Ghareeb late to chase goal — created late pressure but no equalizer.
Conclusion
Mexico national football team vs Saudi Arabia national football team lineups on October 15, 2025 was a professional and controlled friendly victory for El Tri. Jiménez’s opener, Giménez’s header and a solid defensive performance secured a 2-0 win, while Saudi Arabia’s discipline and Al-Owais’s saves kept the score respectable. The result boosts Mexico’s confidence ahead of co-hosting the 2026 World Cup and gives Saudi Arabia important experience against top opposition. These inter-continental friendlies continue to raise standards — more exciting clashes lie ahead.
FAQs
What were the Mexico national football team vs Saudi Arabia national football team lineups on October 15, 2025?
Mexico (4-2-3-1): Malagón; Sánchez, Montes, Vásquez, Gallardo; Álvarez, Chávez; Antuna, Pineda, Vega; Jiménez. Saudi Arabia (4-2-3-1): Al-Owais; Abdulhamid, Al-Bulaihi, Al-Tambakti, Al-Shahrani; Kanno, Al-Dawsari; Al-Dawsari, Al-Faraj, Al-Buraikan; Al-Buraikan.
What was the final score?
Mexico 2-0 Saudi Arabia.
Who scored for Mexico?
Raúl Jiménez (34′), Santiago Giménez (72′).
Who scored for Saudi Arabia?
No goals — clean sheet for Mexico.
What was the significance of this match?
World Cup preparation friendly – Mexico home win.
Were there key injuries?
No major in-game injuries; both teams rotated effectively.
Who was Man of the Match?
Raúl Jiménez or Santiago Giménez (widely agreed).
What tactics did Aguirre use?
High press, wing overloads, quick transitions.
Where can I watch highlights?
TUDN, Azteca 7, ESPN.
Was VAR used?
Minimal involvement – no major controversies.
What is the recent head-to-head history?
Mexico unbeaten in last 5 meetings (W4 D1).
Read Also:
Chennaiyin FC vs Hyderabad FC lineups
East Bengal FC vs Chennaiyin FC lineups
Argentina national football team vs France national football team lineup
Mexico National Football Team Vs Uruguay National Football Team Lineups
Internacional Vs Mexico National Football Team Lineups
Portugal National Football Team Vs Spain National Football Team Lineups
Netherlands National Football Team vs Spain National Football Team Lineups
France national football team vs Croatia national football team lineups
