FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-ups — Mexico vs Serbia player ratings; report, goals, highlights

Mexico, one of the co-hosts of FIFA World Cup 2026, went 0-1 down initially against Serbia, but then pulled off a comeback in style to win the warm-up match at home.

Mexico completed the turnaround deep into first-half stoppage time and then struck three more after the restart to end its World Cup preparations on a high. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Mexico came from behind to beat Serbia 5-1 in its final FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-up match — in Toluca — on Thursday, ‌gaining momentum a week before opening the tournament on home soil.

Serbia ⁠struck first in the 19th minute when Petar Stanic capitalised on a defensive lapse and a ‌fortunate deflection before firing a low shot past goalkeeper Raul Rangel.

Mexico ‌levelled in the 34th minute through ‌defender ⁠Johan Vasquez, who headed home from ⁠Brian Gutierrez’s delivery after the visitors had withstood sustained pressure.

Javier Aguirre’s side completed the turnaround deep into first-half stoppage time ‌when Serbia gifted Mexico the lead with an own goal, as a misplaced back pass from Stefan Bukinac rolled beyond ‌goalkeeper Filip Stankovic and into the net.

Mexico increased its advantage 12 minutes after the break when Raul ⁠Jimenez scored from close range after Julian Quinones’ effort struck the post and rebounded ‌off the Fulham striker into the net.

The host made it 4-1 in the 72nd minute when Adem Avdic turned Alexis Vega’s corner into his own net, before Luis Chavez completed the rout with ‌a superb long-range strike just before the 90-minute mark.

Fireworks lit up the Nemesio Diez stadium at the final whistle as ⁠Mexico signed off its World Cup preparations in ⁠style ahead of next Thursday’s opener against South Africa, the first match ‌of the tournament it is co-hosting with the United States of America and Canada.

Mexico vs Serbia player ratings:

Mexico: Raúl Rangel (6.4/10), Jorge Sánchez (7.2/10), César Montes (7.1/10), Johan Vásquez (8.2/10), Jesús Gallardo (7.0/10), Álvaro Fidalgo (6.8/10), Érik Lira (6.5/10), Brian Gutiérrez (7.6/10), Roberto Alvarado (7.3/10), Raúl Jiménez (8.4/10), Julián Quiñones (7.5/10)

Subs: Edson Álvarez (6.4/10), Alexis Vega (7.8/10), Luis Chávez (8.5/10), Guillermo Martínez (6.2/10), Gilberto Mora (6.6/10), Israel Reyes (6.3/10), Mateo Chávez (6.0/10), Luis Romo (6.1/10), Orbelín Pineda (6.2/10)

Serbia: Filip Stanković (5.2/10), Vukašin Đurđević (5.8/10), Strahinja Eraković (5.7/10), Nikola Simić (5.5/10), Stefan Bukinac (4.8/10), Vanja Dragojević (5.4/10), Aleksandar Stanković (5.9/10), Lazar Ranđelović (6.1/10), Petar Stanić (7.4/10), Vladimir Lučić (5.8/10), Nikola Štulić (5.6/10)

Subs: Mihailo Ivanović (5.9/10), Dejan Zukić (6.0/10), Veljko Birmančević (6.1/10), Adem Avdić (4.5/10), Njegoš Petrović (5.8/10), Veljko Ilić (5.1/10), Petar Petrovic (5.7/10), Ognjen Mimović (5.6/10), Vasilije Kostov (5.8/10), Kosta Nedeljković (5.9/10), Mirko Milikic (5.5/10).