BALTIMORE, Md. — A new era for the Mexican national team began with a draw.
Mexico and Colombia finished 1-1 on Saturday night at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, in a match that marked Rafael Márquez’s debut as head coach of El Tri and the beginning of Mexico’s new cycle heading toward the 2030 World Cup.
For Mexico, the night ended with mixed emotions. The team showed moments of good possession and attacking intent, but once again found itself having to fight back against a Colombian side that has caused problems for El Tri in recent years.
Colombia struck first in the ninth minute.
Luis Suárez opened the scoring with a header after a cross from Richard Ríos, giving Colombia an early 1-0 lead and putting Mexico in a position it has become all too familiar with against the South Americans.
Mexico, however, did not disappear from the game.
The Mexican side continued to look for openings and gradually began to create more danger. The equalizer finally arrived in the second half, and it came from one of the biggest stories of the night.
Gol de Colombia, anotado por Luis Suárez 🇨🇴⚽️
— Alee (@ImAleeJeje) September 27, 2026
Hace el gesto de que somos sus hijos. 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/CEC9akqHqw
Gilberto Mora changes the game
At just 17 years old, Gilberto Mora stepped into the spotlight.
The young midfielder produced a moment of individual brilliance to beat the Colombian defense and find the back of the net, giving Mexico the 1-1 equalizer and scoring his first goal with the Mexican national team.
It was the kind of goal that can become a defining image of a new era.
¡El pequeño GIGANTE apareció! 🇲🇽✨
— Selección Nacional (@miseleccionmx) September 27, 2026
Gil Mora se inventó una brillante acción individual y firmó un GOLAZO para emparejar los cartones ante Colombia. ❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/Bfz2omAIBC
Mora was also wearing Mexico’s No. 10 shirt, adding even more attention to his performance on a night when the national team was beginning a new chapter under Márquez.
The goal changed the atmosphere inside the stadium. Mexico had been chasing the game, but suddenly the match was open again and El Tri looked capable of finding a second.
That second goal never came.
A first look at Rafa Márquez's Mexico
The result itself was not the only story in Baltimore.
This was the first opportunity to see what Mexico could look like under Márquez, who takes over after working as part of Javier Aguirre’s coaching staff during the 2026 World Cup cycle.
Márquez has spoken about wanting Mexico to become a team capable of building from the back, progressing the ball and improving its attacking efficiency, while also maintaining elements of the work already done under the previous coaching staff.
Against Colombia, there were flashes of that idea, although it is still very early in the process.
A new coach, a new cycle and several young players mean that Mexico will need time to develop a recognizable identity.
For now, the first chapter ends with a 1-1 draw.
Mexico looks toward 203
The match against Colombia was more than another international friendly.
It was the first step of Mexico’s road toward the 2030 FIFA World Cup, and Márquez now has several matches ahead to continue evaluating his squad and building his team.
Mexico and Colombia both reached the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup, making Saturday’s meeting a useful early test for the new Mexican coaching staff.
Mexico will continue its September international window with another friendly against Peru on September 29, before facing the United States and Chile during the following matches.
There will be plenty to improve.
But there is also something positive for Mexico to take from Baltimore: a young player wearing the No. 10 shirt stepped forward when his team needed him.
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