Paraguay defeated Mexico, 1-0, in a friendly match played on Wednesday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, thanks to a goal scored by Derlis Gonzalez in the second half. With the tournament falling outside of the FIFA timeframe, Mexico coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino fielded a team made up exclusively of Liga MX players, leaving stars like Raul Jimenez and Hirving Lozano in Europe. Mexico got off to a fast start, taking 12 shots in the opening 45 minutes, but Paraguayan goalkeeper Antony Silva stopped all of them.

Upon scoring in the 50th minute, Paraguay seized control of the second half. Derlis Gonzalez put the ball past goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo after he pounced on a loose ball after a shooting struck the post. Martino made five substitutions in the second half, but Mexico still couldn't beat Silva. El Tri was unable to produce an equalizer because Paraguay was content to keep giving the ball away.

Friendlies against U.S. opponents are scheduled to resume for Mexico in November as they continue to prepare for the 2022 World Cup. In the World Cup group stage that kicks off in November in Qatar, Mexico will take on Poland, Argentina, and Saudi Arabia.

[Photography by ICONIC photography by Rachel Pearce]