They divide honors. The soccer teams of Mexico and Peru reached a one-goal draw in an intense friendly match played at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, United States.
The goals of Tuesday’s match were scored by Peruvian midfielder Jairo Vélez, midway through the first half of play, and in the second half by Mexican defender Víctor Guzmán.
The result implied the second consecutive draw for the Aztec “Tricolor” led by Rafa Márquez after last Saturday’s 1-1 against Colombia, and also, a better presentation for the Inca “Bicolor” coached by the Brazilian Mano Menezes after the 4-1 defeat they also suffered on Saturday against the USA.
The empire strikes back
Although Mexico sought to control the ball from the opening minute, Peru chose to wait with solvency and launch attacks on the flanks, always looking for the play of the skillful Vélez, which allowed them to look good in defense, aggressive in the recovery and take the best attempts to the bottom, with two high centers that caused anxiety in the Mexican defense.
The “Tricolor” of Mexico achieved its first risk option at 23 minutes, when a deep tackle was claimed as a handball by Peruvian defender Marcos López, which American referee John Freeman did not see.
In response, Peru took advantage of a long serve from goalkeeper Pedro Gallese for the fast attack from the right by Vélez who appeared vigorous, at 27, to leave Mexican defender Jeremy Márquez in the way and beat goalkeeper Óscar García with a cross shot at mid-height.
The Inca squad maintained control of the ball and actions towards the 30th minute and looked focused in their defensive zone against the Mexican attacks led by winger Isaías Violante.
When 38 minutes were played, the experienced “Pulpo” Gallese showed all his reflexes to stretch to the right and prevent a long shot from Mateo Chávez from unexpectedly sneaking into the South American goal.
In the second half, Mexico returned with the enhanced offensive disposition of the dressing rooms and did not take long to even the score, since in the 48th minute Víctor Guzmán successfully connected a header after a free kick taken near the right corner.
The Aztec defender was left unmarked and rose firmly to apply the header that hit Gallese’s left corner. It was 1-1 on the scoreboard that made the green-painted stands explode with happiness.
Despite the blow, the Peruvian team concentrated its game again in the center of the field to look for overflows and high centers from the sides.
In the 69th minute, Mexican goalkeeper Óscar “El Gato” García barely blocked a direct left-footed shot from the entered center forward Alex Valera, after having lost the ball in a bad clearance.
This prevented what would have been the second goal of the Peruvian national team, which had the support of thousands of its fans who came to the New York Red Bulls sports venue in the “Garden State.”
Later, given the fatigue shown by several of their players, both coach Rafa Márquez and coach Mano Menezes ordered several changes in the last minutes to give new impetus to their game.
And it was Peru that had the clearest option to win in this international match when a new high shot by Valera went past the Aztec crossbar defended by García.
𝗟𝗮 𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗱 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗱𝗮 𝗲𝗻 𝗹𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗮 🇵🇪🇲🇽
Two shirts, one love for football.#UnSentimientoQueNosUne pic.twitter.com/RrZM13Ym79
— La Bicolor (@SeleccionPeru) September 30, 2026
This is how they aligned
– Mexico (1): Óscar García, Jeremy Márquez, Everardo López, Víctor Guzmán (m.62, Diego del Campo), Mateo Chávez; Denzell García (m.62, Luis Romo), Obed Vargas, Álvaro Fidalgo (m.78, Hugo Camberos); Isaías Violante (m.78, Santiago Sandoval), Germán Berterame (m.62, Santiago Giménez), Orbelín Pineda (m.78, Roberto Alvarado).
– Selector: Rafael Marquez.
– Peru (1): Pedro Gallese, Marco Huamán (m.80, Oliver Sonne), Erick Noriega, Renzo Garcés, Marcos López; Wilder Cartagena, Oslimg Mora, Yoshimar Yotún (m.83, César Inga), Piero Magallanes (m.73, Jhonny Vidales); Jairo Vélez (m.83, Jairo Conacha), Adrián Ugarriza (m.73, Alex Valera).
– Selector: Mano Menezes (BRA).
– Goals: 0-1, m.27: Jairo Vélez; 1-1, m.48: Víctor Guzmán.
– Referee: John Freeman (USA). He showed a yellow card to the Peruvians Marcos López, Jairo Vélez and Renzo Garcés, and to the Mexican Mateo Chávez,
– Incidents: Friendly match played at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, before about 25,000 spectators.
