Mexico booked their place in the 2025 Gold Cup quarterfinals with a 2-0 win over Suriname, but the scoreline masked another disjointed performance from Javier Aguirre’s side. For the second consecutive match, El Tri looked sluggish and uninspired, struggling to break down modest opposition before center-back César Montes emerged as an unlikely hero with two second-half headers. The victory ensures Mexico tops Group A ahead of their decisive clash with Costa Rica, but concerning tactical and creative deficiencies remain unaddressed.
The first half was particularly alarming as Mexico’s 4-4-2 setup appeared outdated and predictable, with Suriname comfortably containing El Tri’s toothless attack while threatening on counters. Even with 70% possession, Mexico generated zero clear chances before halftime, their pedestrian buildup play drawing whistles from frustrated fans. Defensive lapses nearly proved costly too, as Suriname’s speedy wingers exploited Mexico’s high line—a warning sign Aguirre failed to rectify during the interval.
The breakthrough finally came via route-one football: Montes powered home a 57th-minute corner before adding another six minutes later after pouncing on his own rebound. Remarkably, four of Mexico’s five tournament goals have now come from set pieces, highlighting their open-play struggles. While the goals brought temporary relief, missed chances from Chávez and Giménez—including a shocking open-net blunder—kept Suriname theoretically in contention until the final whistle.
Though the result secures advancement, Mexico’s performances raise serious questions about their title defense. The midfield lacks dynamism, wingers are isolated, and the attack remains stagnant—issues Costa Rica will ruthlessly exploit in Sunday’s group decider. Aguirre’s conservative approach may grind out results against minnows, but as the knockout rounds loom, El Tri must rediscover their identity quickly. For now, they advance by necessity, not merit.
