Overview

• Captain Edson Álvarez left around the 30th minute with a muscular issue, and Javier Aguirre said his status will be determined after medical evaluation.
• César Montes received a VAR-upgraded red card in stoppage time for denying a clear chance, yet he remains available for the next friendly because expulsions in non‑official matches do not trigger automatic suspensions.
• Aguirre acknowledged Mexico were not superior and urged improvements in game reading and attacking depth after a first half controlled by Japan’s intensity and press.
• More than 50,000 fans in Oakland booed at full time after few clear chances, though goalkeeper Luis Ángel Malagón made key saves and Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano logged second‑half minutes on his return.
• Mexico’s next friendly is Sept. 9 at Geodis Park in Nashville against South Korea, who beat the United States 2-0, as roster evaluations continue ahead of the 2026 World Cup.