El Tri Femenil edges New Zealand in front of a roaring crowd in CDMX

In front of 10,256 fans at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, the Mexican Women’s National Team made their return to Mexico City with a 1-0 victory over New Zealand, the first of two friendlies that will serve as a key test before the next FIFA window.

It wasn’t a night of fireworks, but it was a night of control, composure, and a statement: this team is learning how to win even when it doesn’t shine.

Aaliyah Farmer delivers the moment that mattered

From the opening whistle, Mexico pressed high and dictated tempo. Early on, Charlyn Corral and Jacqueline Ovalle connected in what could have been the first highlight of the match, but Ovalle’s shot sailed over the bar.

The pressure kept coming. At the 10-minute mark, a corner kick turned into gold. After a defensive lapse from New Zealand, Aaliyah Farmer reacted quickest and sent the ball into the net with her right foot to make it 1-0 for Mexico.

The goal lifted the crowd, and El Tri Femenil’s rhythm followed. Corral nearly doubled the lead midway through the first half with a left-footed strike that forced a world-class save from keeper Victoria Esson, who kept New Zealand alive.

Mexico stays in control, but misses the knockout punch

Despite their dominance, Mexico couldn’t find the finishing touch. New Zealand fought back with quick transitions, but Estefhanny Barrera held firm in goal.

For the second half, Diana Ordóñez and Fátima Servín came off the bench to freshen up the attack, while Farmer and Corral made way. The visitors briefly took control of possession and tested Barrera from long range, including a dangerous strike by Kelli Brown at minute 63 that was brilliantly saved.

From minute 70 onward, Mexico retook command. Greta Espinoza came inches away from scoring off a cross, and Montserrat Saldívar forced another save with a long-range effort that nearly slipped past Esson.

In the 84th minute, Jacqueline Ovalle found herself one-on-one with the keeper but was denied by a last-second defensive block. Her final attempt, a curling shot that struck the crossbar, summed up the night: dominance without the knockout.

A solid win with lessons for what’s ahead

Mexico’s 1-0 win over New Zealand shows a growing maturity under Pedro López, a team that now knows how to handle pressure, protect leads, and play with structure.

The two nations will meet again in the second friendly, where El Tri Femenil will look to sharpen its attack and close the year with momentum before shifting focus to the 2026 Gold Cup qualification path.