What observers say
Mexico is set to face Portugal in a friendly match on March 29, 2023, at 21:00 EST (02:00 GMT) at Estadio Banorte in Mexico City. This encounter marks an important moment for both teams as they prepare for upcoming competitions, with Mexico looking to build on recent successes.
Portugal, currently ranked 6th in the world by FIFA, will be without their star player Cristiano Ronaldo, who is sidelined due to a hamstring injury. Ronaldo, the men’s all-time leading international scorer with 143 goals, has been a pivotal figure for the national team. His absence will be felt, especially as Portugal has shown depth in their squad, winning matches even without him.
Mexico, ranked 16th by FIFA, comes into this match with a positive momentum, having won three consecutive matches. Their recent form includes a convincing 4-0 victory over Iceland, which followed a challenging stretch where they endured six winless games. The team is co-hosting the 2026 World Cup alongside the USA and Canada, making this friendly an opportunity to solidify their squad.
However, Mexico will also be missing several key players for this match, including Edson Álvarez, Marcel Ruiz, Gilberto Mora, Hirving Lozano, and Julián Araujo. These absences could impact their performance against a strong Portuguese side that has lost only two of their last 16 matches.
Historically, Portugal has had the upper hand in their encounters with Mexico, having never lost in five previous meetings. This record adds an additional layer of pressure on the Mexican team as they seek to turn the tide in this friendly. Observers will be keen to see if Mexico can leverage their home advantage and recent form to secure a victory.
As both teams prepare for this match, the stakes are high. Mexico aims to build confidence ahead of the World Cup, while Portugal seeks to maintain their winning momentum despite missing key players. The outcome of this friendly could provide insights into both teams’ readiness for future challenges.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full impact of player absences on both sides, but the match promises to be an intriguing contest between two nations with rich footballing histories.
