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Luis Romo and teenage sensation Gilberto Mora delivered standout performances as Mexico recorded a 2-0 victory over Ghana in Puebla, fine-tuning preparations for the upcoming World Cup.

Pre-World Cup friendlies seldom aim for perfection, but for Javier “Vasco” Aguirre, Mexico’s triumph over Ghana at Puebla was another vital step in his team’s final evaluation phase before the tournament. It served as an opportunity to test player combinations, gauge individual form, and continue refining a squad still being shaped by fitness and availability concerns.

Aguirre had mentioned before kickoff that it would be tough to assess the team as a whole, given that players had joined camp at different times. Therefore, individual performances took on added significance in front of more than 40,000 spectators, as several players sought to secure their place in the World Cup roster.

One of the evening’s brightest positives was the return of Gilberto Mora. The 17-year-old injected energy and creativity into Mexico’s attack, making things happen every time he touched the ball. For an El Tri side still searching for more attacking options, his display was a promising sign.

Here are the player ratings for Mexico following their pre-World Cup friendly at Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla:

Goalkeeper & Defense

Raul Rangel (6/10): Barely called into action as Ghana produced few shots on target. His distribution from the back, one of his key strengths, was rarely tested.

Israel Reyes (6/10): Confident in possession and offered stability on the right side. Needs to sharpen his deliveries when advancing into crossing areas.

Luis Romo (8/10): Provided leadership at the back and showed composure in duels and clearances. Moved into midfield in the second half, contributing an assist on Mexico’s second goal—underscoring his versatility and importance.

Jesus Gomez (6/10): Faced limited pressure but executed his defensive duties efficiently, particularly alert during set-piece situations.

Jesus Gallardo (7/10): Mexico’s most involved defender in the first half, regularly pushing forward. As captain, he led by example with relentless work along the left flank.

Midfield

Erik Lira (7/10): Controlled the tempo and continued his growth as a defensive midfielder. His pressing helped Mexico regain possession quickly and keep Ghana on the back foot.

Gilberto Mora (8/10): The youngster was a livewire in the final third, constantly creating danger. If he maintains this form, the 17-year-old could earn a starting spot at the World Cup.

Brian Gutierrez (7/10): Opened the scoring by reacting quickest to a misplaced pass from the Ghana goalkeeper. His composed finish demonstrated his quality in attacking positions.

Attack

Roberto Alvarado (6/10): Involved in several promising chances in the first half but could not find the net. His movement was intelligent, though his finishing lacked precision.

Armando Gonzalez (6/10): Found gaps between defenders and showed good instincts in the box. However, his finishing touch was not as sharp as desired.

Alexis Vega (7/10): Energetic throughout his appearance, frequently initiating attacking moves from the left. Still needs to improve his set-piece delivery.

Substitutes & Manager

Edson Alvarez (7/10): Took over captaincy in the second half while playing at centre-back. With Johan Vazquez and Cesar Montes unavailable, Aguirre tested him in that role, and Alvarez delivered a composed performance.

Jorge Sanchez (6/10): Reliable defensively though less involved going forward. Offered solidity on the right after coming on.

Guillermo Martinez (7/10): Impressive movement and a smart finish for his goal. Constantly looked to link up with teammates in advanced areas.

Carlos Acevedo (7/10): Made two crucial saves early in the second half to preserve Mexico’s lead. His interventions helped steady the team during a difficult spell.

Mateo Chavez (6/10): Had more involvement on the ball than Jorge Sanchez but was less effective than Gallardo in the first half. Still provided defensive reliability.

Eduardo Aguila (6/10): Not heavily tested but looked composed beside Alvarez at centre-back. Dealt with the match confidently.

Kevin Castañeda (5/10): Won’t feature at the World Cup but remains a player to monitor, particularly if he continues scoring regularly for Xolos next season.

Luis Chavez (5/10): Could benefit from a starting role in one of the upcoming friendlies. His set-piece ability and long-range passing remain potential assets for Mexico.

Isaias Violante (5/10): Made several runs down the right but lacked accuracy in his passing. Full of energy yet needs more precision in the final third.

Iker Fimbres (6/10): In limited minutes, made smart passing choices and showed sound decision-making.

Luis Rey (5/10): Featured in front of his home crowd but had little impact on the result. A young talent who could stay in Mexico’s long-term plans.

Javier Aguirre (7/10): Continues to find a balance between youth and experience, a tricky task at this point. His approach is working well, as El Tri remain unbeaten in 2026.