Mexico’s men’s soccer national team defeated Türkiye, 1-0, on Tuesday night at Kenan Stadium in an international friendly match as a part of the 2025 MexTour.
A crowd of over 25,000 fans attended.
The match marked the third consecutive year that an international soccer game has been held at Kenan Stadium with Manchester City playing Celtic last year, and Chelsea taking on Wrexham in 2023.
Tuesday was the last contest before the Concacaf Gold Cup for Mexico, while Türkiye was riding momentum after beating the United States, 2-1, in a friendly match on June 7.
Fans of Mexico and Türkiye cheer before the MexTour 2025 game at Kenan Stadium on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
After controlling possession for the majority of the game early on, Türkiye got their first shot on goal via a free kick from Kaan Ayhan, but Mexico’s goalkeeper Luis Malagón made a sprawling save to keep the game scoreless.
Türkiye had another golden opportunity in the 23rd minute from Kenan Yildiz just outside the box, but the attempt missed past the left post.
Mexico’s Orbelín Pineda was offside when found the back of the net on a rebound from a Julián Quiñones header that hit that crossbar, disallowing the goal.
The first half pressure from Türkiye continued when Irfan Can Kahveci roped a left footed shot that went over the crossbar.
Pineda netted the first, and only, goal of the game in the 45th minute on an accurately placed turn around shot from the center of the box that found the right corner, beating Türkiye goalkeeper Berke Özer to give Mexico a 1-0 lead at half.
Despite being down a goal at halftime, Türkiye had more shot attempts, outshooting Mexico 12-4 while also dominating possession time.
A cross-field cross led to a shot on goal from the front of the net for Mexico, but the header from Alexia Vega was stonewalled by Özer to keep Türkiye alive.
An accurate pass from Jesús Gallardo in the 65th minute found César Huerta, who hit the post, unable to extend Mexico’s lead.
Türkiye’s Kerem Aktürkoglu failed to convert on a missed shot attempt from inside the box, shooting the ball left of the post.
A stout defensive effort from Mexico in the final minutes thwarted Türkiye’s offensive attack late. After notching 12 total shots in the first half, Türkiye only recorded five for the remainder of the match.
Mexico will take on the Dominican Republic men’s soccer national team next on Saturday in the first match of the Concacaf Gold Cup, while Türkiye is scheduled to play next in September.