Mexico vs Switzerland

Rice-Eccles Stadium is the venue as Mexico and Switzerland lock horns in an international friendly – their first meeting in over half a century. 

Raul Jimenez’s brace, including a 92nd-minute winner, inspired Mexico to a heart-stopping 2-1 win against Panama in the CONCACAF Nations League final in March, helping the country wrap its hands around this trophy for the first time. Therefore, it’s been a positive 2025 for the Mexican so far, especially considering they’ve won three of their four matches this calendar year (L1), netting 2+ goals in each win. Their first meeting with Switzerland since a 2-1 defeat in 1950 could go either way, considering none of their last five internationals have ended level (W4, L1) since a scoreless draw against Canada in September 2024. Interestingly, El Tri scored 2+ goals in all four wins, including a 2-0 triumph against bitter rivals United States in their last international friendly.

Meanwhile, Switzerland delivered a mixed bag of performance in March, drawing 1-1 with Northern Ireland before beating minnows Luxembourg 3-1 in friendly matches. That victory saw the Nati put a decisive stop to a humiliating eight-game winless streak (D3, L5), securing a chance to win back-to-back games for the first time in a year! However, manager Murat Yakin must find a cure for his side’s defensive leaks, with Switzerland failing to keep a clean sheet in their last ten internationals since a 2-0 win against Italy in Euro 2024 round of 16. That’s just one of their two shutouts since June 2024, suggesting Mexico’s decent-performing frontline could have a field day in Salt Lake City.