Mexico's national team beat Bolivia 1-0 in a friendly match in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, as part of their buildup to the 2026 World Cup. Germán Berterame scored the lone goal in the 68th minute during the second game of a tour featuring mostly Liga MX players. The win follows a victory over Panama and ends a six-game winless streak.
Mexico's national team, coached by Javier Aguirre, wrapped up its January tour with a narrow 1-0 win over Bolivia at the Ramón ‘Tahuichi’ Aguilera Stadium in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. The squad featured only Liga MX players, except for one from the MLS, in this pre-2026 World Cup friendly.
The match kicked off with an early Mexican chance in the 5th minute, as a combined play by Armando González and Carlos Rodríguez nearly caught Bolivian goalkeeper Carlos Lampe off guard. Lampe saved his net, but it led to an injury for defender Richet Gómez, who was substituted by Leonardo Zabala on instructions from Bolivia's coach Óscar Villegas.
Bolivia threatened in the 39th minute with a cross from Lucas Macazaga that Bruno Miranda failed to convert, followed by Fernando Nava forcing a save from Mexico's José Raúl Rangel. Early in the second half, ‘Tonino’ Melgar hit the post with a shot.
The decisive goal came in the 68th minute from a free kick by Kevin Castañeda, which Lampe parried, leaving the rebound for naturalized forward Germán Berterame—who is in talks with Inter Miami—to score. In the 83rd minute, referee Carlos Betancur sent off Robson Matheus for a foul on Berterame, cementing Mexico's edge.
This positive outcome allows Aguirre to assess players in his first major senior call-up. Mexico returns in February against Iceland in Querétaro without overseas players, and in March will face Portugal and Belgium.
For Bolivia, this was their final friendly before the intercontinental playoff: March 26 against Surinam in Monterrey, with the winner then facing Iraq for a World Cup spot.
The squad saw absences like Gilberto Mora, replaced by Alexis Gutiérrez, and included goalkeepers such as Luis Ángel Malagón, defenders like Jorge Sánchez, midfielders like Luis Romo, and forwards like Ángel Sepúlveda.
