Mexico came from behind on Thursday to beat Serbia 5-1 in the final warm-up match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup – in Toluca – and won a week before the tournament opened on home soil.
Serbia struck first in the 19th minute when Petar Stanic took advantage of a defensive error and a lucky deflection before firing a low shot past goalkeeper Raul Rangel.
Mexico leveled in the 34th minute through defender Johan Vasquez, who headed home from Brian Gutierrez’s throw after the visitors withstood continued pressure.
Javier Aguirre’s side completed the turnaround deep into first-half stoppage time as Serbia gifted Mexico the lead with an own goal as a misplaced back pass from Stefan Bukinac rolled past goalkeeper Filip Stankovic and into the net.
Mexico extended their lead 12 minutes after the break when Raul Jimenez scored from close range after Julian Quinones’ effort hit the post and rebounded from the Fulham striker into the net.
The hosts made it 4-1 in the 72nd minute when Adem Avdic turned Alexis Vega’s corner into his own goal, before Luis Chavez rounded off the rout with a brilliant long-range strike just before the 90 minute mark.
Fireworks lit up the Nemesio Diez Stadium at the final whistle as Mexico wrapped up 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)
subtitles: 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)
subtitles: Mihailo Ivanović (5.9/10), Dejan Zukić (6.0/10), Veljko Birmancevic (6.1/10), Adem Avdić (4.5/10), Njegoš Petrović (5.8/10), Veljko Ilić (5.1/10), Petar Petrović (5.7/10), Ognjen Mimović (5.6/10), Vasilije Kostov (5.8/10), Kosta Nedeljković (5.9/10), Mirko Milikic (5.5/10)z
Published on June 5, 2026
