Mexico, Ecuador 1-1 draw in World Cup warmup; Mexico's streak persists

On October 14, 2025, the Mexico vs Ecuador International Friendly 2025Guadalajara became a litmus test for two nations eyeing the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In the third minute, German Berterame, forward for Mexico national soccer team, slipped past the Ecuadorian keeper. Twenty minutes in, Jordy Alcivar, forward for Ecuador national soccer team, levelled the score from the spot after a handball in the box.

The match, aired on Fox Deportes the following day, turned ugly in the 30th minute when Erick Sánchez, defender for the Mexican side, committed a clumsy foul on an Ecuadorian attacker. What followed was a brief but heated brawl that had commentators scrambling for words. The incident was highlighted in a separate YouTube clip titled "A BRAWL BROKE OUT!" posted by Fox Deportes.

Why the friendly mattered

Both federations treat this fixture as a last‑minute rehearsal before the World Cup kickoff in June 2026. Mexico, set to co‑host the tournament with the United States and Canada, has already slipped into a four‑match winless run—a worrying omen for a nation banking on home‑field advantage. Ecuador, meanwhile, secured second place in the CONMEBOL qualifiers, trailing Argentina by just three points, and is keen to fine‑tune its attacking options.

Match timeline and key moments

3' – Berterame’s early strike: A swift passing move saw the Mexican forward find space on the left flank and fire a low‑driven shot past Ecuador’s goalkeeper, setting the tone for an aggressive Mexican approach.

20' – Alcivar’s penalty: A handball by Mexico’s right‑back forced the referee to point to the spot. Alcivar calmly slotted the ball into the bottom right corner, restoring parity.

27' – The foul and fallout: Sánchez’s challenge on Ecuadorian midfielder Luis Reyes was deemed reckless. Tempers flared, resulting in a brief melee that saw both benches clear. Video replay captured the incident, and the referee issued a yellow card to Sánchez.

45' – Half‑time analysis: Fox Deportes pundits highlighted Mexico’s lack of clinical finishing beyond the opening goal, while praising Ecuador’s disciplined defensive shape.

68' – Near‑miss by Ronco: Ecuador’s midfielder Ronco unleashed a powerful long‑range effort that curled just wide of the post, a moment that could have turned the tide.

81' – Montes’ chance: Mexican substitute Montes found himself in a one‑on‑one with the Ecuadorian keeper, but his shot was parried, prompting a quick counter‑attack that ended in a harmless clearance.

Players under scrutiny

With the World Cup squad still unannounced, the friendly served as a showcase for several fringe candidates. Mexico’s coach Jaime Lozano, speaking after the match, said, "We’ll assess the mental strength of players like John [???] and Valencia. Their ability to stay focused after an early goal is crucial." On the Ecuadorian side, Gustavo Alfaro noted, "Alcivar’s composure from the spot is encouraging, but we need more contributions from our wing‑backs, especially Llojan Vásquez, who has been pivotal in our build‑up play."

Analysts also debated the future of striker Marcello, who completed 90 minutes but failed to find the net. "He showed work rate, but the final pass needs sharpening," remarked a former scout for the Mexican federation.

Reactions and what’s next

The Associated Press highlighted the draw as a red flag for Mexico’s preparation, noting the "four‑match winless streak" that now includes two friendlies and two competitive qualifiers. The next test arrives on November 17, 2025, when Mexico travels to Montevideo to face Uruguay. A victory there could restore confidence before the World Cup.

Ecuador will regroup ahead of its upcoming clash with Paraguay on October 21, 2025, hoping to cement its attacking options before the tournament. Both teams have also scheduled private training camps in the coming weeks to address defensive lapses observed in Guadalajara.

Historical context for both nations

Mexico last hosted a World Cup in 1986, and the 2026 edition will be its first time sharing hosting duties. Historically, home teams have enjoyed a statistical edge, winning 58% of matches played on home soil in previous tournaments. That legacy adds pressure on Lozano’s squad to deliver.

Ecuador’s rise has been dramatic. After missing the 2018 World Cup, the Andean nation qualified for the 2022 edition and now sits second in CONMEBOL, a remarkable ascent driven by a mix of veteran leadership and emerging talents like Alcivar.

• Match date: October 14, 2025
• Venue: Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara
• Final score: Mexico 1 – 1 Ecuador
• Scorers: German Berterame (3'), Jordy Alcivar (pen. 20')
• Mexico’s winless streak: 4 matches