Canada vs. Mexico: CNL Match Preview, Odds & Predictions

The CONCACAF Nations League semifinal will take place on Thursday at SoFi Stadium. For the first time, Mexico will face Canada. The winner advances to the championship game.

In the previous round, Canada defeated Suriname 4-0 on aggregate, while El Tri came back from a 2-0 deficit to beat Honduras 4-0 in the second leg of their tie.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

For the second year in a row, Canada went into the second leg of their Nations League quarterfinal encounter with a one-goal lead. However, they held Suriname to a 3-0 home victory.

Among the many impressive feats accomplished by this squad under Jesse Marsch's leadership is a fourth-place showing in their first participation in the Copa America in 2024.

This squad has only become stronger since that tournament ended, winning four of their past five international matches.

Les Rouges have advanced to Thursday's Nations League semifinals twice in the last three seasons; their lone prior participation was in 2023 when they defeated Panama 2-0.

Canadian football has won their past six matches against teams from the CONCACAF zone, with the only loss coming last season in the Nations League quarterfinals at the hands of Jamaica (3-2).

Their lone loss in the past seven matches played in the United States was a 2-0 loss to Argentina in the 2024 Copa America semifinals at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

After a scoreless tie in a September friendly in Arlington, Texas, the Canucks have gone undefeated in their last three meetings against Mexico.

 Since Mexico advanced from a quarterfinal match against Honduras in November despite losing the first leg 2-0, it must have seemed like déjà vu.

When El Tri beat the Hondurans 4-0 in the first match of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup, it was their largest win until that second-leg triumph.

With five shutouts in seven matches, Mexico's coach, Javier Aguirre, has stabilized the defense for his third spell with the national team.

Before losing 3-0 to the United States in the 2022–23 Nations League semifinals, this squad had only lost once in their prior six CONCACAF competition semifinal matches.

El Tri have gone undefeated in their last six matches while batting first since losing the 2021 Nations League final in overtime (3-2) against the United States.

In their previous two matches against North American opponents, El Tri has gone 1-0 without allowing a goal.

In CONCACAF tournaments, Mexico has won their past three meetings against Canada, including a 2-1 victory in the 2021 Gold Cup semifinals.

Canada x Mexico Team News

Zorhan Bassong was called up this week to replace Richie Laryea, who will not be able to play for Canada in this match due to a hamstring problem.

On Thursday, we will witness the debuts of three Canadians: Union SG's Promise David of Belgium, Daniel Jebbison of Bournemouth, and Tom McGill of Brighton and Hove Albion, who will play in goal.

By scoring his next goal for Canada, Alphonso Davies will tie Alex Bunbury for ninth all-time, while Jonathan Osorio, if he plays in Les Rouges' next two Nations League matches, would tie Paul Stalteri for third all-time in caps.

As the Canadian men's national team beat Suriname in the second leg, Jonathan David scored 31 goals—one more than Cyle Larin—to become the team's all-time leading scorer. Jacob Shaffelburg scored twice, giving him six goals for his country.

Last month, Jose Juan Macias, a 25-year-old striker for Chivas and the Mexican national team, announced his retirement from football due to a string of injuries.

Ramon Juarez of Club America and Carlos Moreno of Pachuca, the defending CONCACAF Champions Cup champions, are the only players on El Tri's roster who have yet to play a game.

While Jesus Gallardo hit 100 caps in November's win against Honduras, Roberto Alvarado, a striker for Chivas, may achieve 50 by the tournament's conclusion this weekend; he is now on 48.

Henry Martin scored twice to help them beat the Hondurans and win the match. Raul Jimenez and Jorge Sanchez both scored, and with Henry Martin's next goal, he will move up to fourth all-time behind Luis Hernandez.

Our Predictions

Canada to win @ 2.70 on Sky247.ng

Having played well against several great countries in the last year, the Canadians should enter this match with a reasonable amount of confidence. The offensive third's skill will be the deciding factor.

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