Mexico news

In November, we were treated to the most exhilarating reminder possible of the magic of the World Cup. History was made in Jamaica as Curacao became the smallest nation ever to qualify by holding the Reggae Boys to a 0-0 draw in Kingston. Elsewhere in CONCACAF, Haiti managed to secure a spot at the finals for the first time in 50 years with a 2-0 win over Nicaragua - in spite of the fact that they weren't able to play any games at home because of the ongoing conflict on the Caribbean island.

The Masandawana star is shining again and returned to the national setup after one year in the cold. Hugo Broos kept snubbing the midfielder after a fallout when the star was called up but turned up late for national team duties. Should he continue with his current form, then his chances of playing in the World Cup are high.

Portugal were solid defensively but offered little going forward, and were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw against a much-changed Mexico with Cristiano Ronaldo sidelined due to injury. Roberto Martinez's men had the majority of the ball, but little concrete to show for it. The two teams combined for three shots on target over the course of 90 forgettable minutes.

How to watch the Friendlies match between Mexico and Portugal, as well as kick-off time and team news

Romelu Lukaku’s relationship with Napoli has reached a critical juncture following his decision to remain in Belgium during the international break. While the club and manager Antonio Conte were left frustrated by his absence from the training ground, new reports suggest a diplomatic effort is underway to repair the damage.

The Burnley star has found himself on the receiving end of criticism after a disappointing show against Panama. Now, the national team coach has been asked to drop the striker and use the Mamelodi Sundowns striker. What now remains is to see whether Broos will stick with his striker or will consider the options that are available.

The Belgian tactician is in the process of building his team for June’s global football competition and used Friday's match to test fresh options at the heart of defence. It was an evening where he opted not to use Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Nkosinathi Sibisi, while Siyabonga Ngezana was not called up for this camp. The decisions highlighted the coach’s intention to assess new combinations as he shapes his squad for the tournament.

When the Belgian omitted the Bucs star ahead of the Panama friendlies, the move raised eyebrows. Chaine has been Bafana's second-choice keeper, but his place in the national team is now debatable. Broos's decision was shocking, as it came at a time when the goalkeeper was doing relatively well at club level.

The Bafana centre-forward was one of the players who were highly criticised on online platforms after the Panama game. Some feel that he cannot be a reliable striker, and the coach must find a better alternative before the World Cup finals. If the Belgian is not satisfied with the star's performance, then he will have to look for more viable solutions.

While the current focus is on the next friendly against Panama, Bafana's eyes are fixed on the upcoming big assignment. The players will not only be representing the country but will also be carrying the continental aspirations, as they are among the African countries set to play in the global bonanza. That means the 1996 AFCON champions must make their supporters proud by staging an impressive campaign.

The veteran midfielder made his long-awaited return to the national team, featuring for the first time since October 2024. A series of injuries had kept him out of the national side for an extended period, forcing him to miss several international assignments. Now back in the fold, he is expected to play a key role as the team builds towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The friendly games are part of South Africa's preparations for the upcoming World Cup finals. After a disappointing outing in the Africa Cup of Nations finals, Hugo Broos' men hope to have a far better campaign in the global showpiece to make the nation proud. Although some felt that their Friday opponent are a low-profile opponent for the National Team, the Central Americans claimed a draw in the first encounter.

We have three Mexico vs Portugal predictions for their friendly international on Sunday morning, including value on the goalscorer bet.