Mexico’s only survivor from El Tri’s last matchup with Portugal
In the March international break, the Mexicans are set to take on Portugal for the first time in nearly a decade.
Nearly ten years later, Guillermo Ochoa is set to face Portugal’s national team once again, evoking memories of that July 2, 2017 showdown for third place at the 2017 Confederations Cup - a match in which the Mexican goalkeeper delivered one of the most sparkling performances of his international career.
Mexico’s lone survivor
Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup, Ochoa remains the only active member of the Mexican national team who featured in that game, making him a key veteran presence in today’s squad.
The stage for 2017’s Confederations Cup contest was Otkrytiye Arena, where Mexico aimed to climb onto the podium. Despite their effort, El Tri fell 2-1 to Portugal, who played without their superstar Cristiano Ronaldo on that occasion.
An MOTM display in defeat
Despite being on the losing side, Ochoa was named Man of the Match for his string of crucial saves. His command between the posts prevented a much heavier scoreline and solidified his status as one of the tournament’s top goalkeepers.
Among Ochoa’s most memorable interventions were an early penalty save against André Silva and a brilliant stop on a close‑range header from Nélson Semedo - moments that showcased his elite reflexes and impeccable technique.
Mexico managed to hold the lead for much of the match, but deep into stoppage time, Pepe struck to level the score and force extra time. Later, Silva converted a penalty that sealed Portugal’s victory.
A previous group‑stage meeting with Portugal
Earlier in that same Confederations Cup, Mexico and Portugal had already squared off in a group‑stage clash that ended 2-2. Ronaldo did feature in that encounter and even provided an assist, leaving his mark on the match.
Compared to that earlier meeting, today’s outlook for Mexico is vastly different. Players like Carlos Vela, Javier Hernández, Néstor Araujo, and Miguel Layún are no longer part of the national setup, while Ochoa remains the enduring reference point and emblem of that generation.
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