Two Mexican sides met in a pre-season international club friendly on July 5, 2026, as Mineros de Zacatecas hosted FC Juárez. The visitors from the Liga MX ran out convincing 3-1 winners, demonstrating their superior fitness and sharpness in the early stages of the summer preparation.

Match Overview

The friendly, played at a neutral venue as part of both clubs' warm-up schedules, saw FC Juárez take control from the first whistle. Mineros, playing in Mexico's lower divisions, struggled to contain the pace and movement of Juárez's frontline. The final scoreline of 3-1 reflected the gap in class, although the home side showed resilience to pull a goal back late on.

First Half – Juárez Dominates

FC Juárez started aggressively, pressing high and creating several early chances. The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute when a well-worked move down the right flank ended with a clinical finish from the visiting striker. Mineros's goalkeeper made several good saves but could do little to prevent Juárez doubling the lead before half-time. A defensive lapse in the 39th minute allowed Juárez's midfielder to slot home from close range, making it 2-0 at the break.

Second Half – Mineros Fight Back but Juárez Seals It

The home side came out with more determination after the interval, pressing higher and creating their first real chance in the 55th minute. However, it was Juárez who struck again in the 68th minute, capitalizing on a counter-attack to make it 3-0. Mineros of Zacatecas refused to give up and pulled a goal back in the 81st minute through a well-taken header from a corner kick. Despite late pressure, they could not find a second goal.

Key Takeaways

• FC Juárez sharpness: The Liga MX side looked match‑ready, especially in the first hour, and their pressing game unsettled Mineros.
• Mineros’ spirit: Despite being outclassed, the home team showed character to score and avoid a heavier defeat.
• Pre‑season context: Both coaches used numerous substitutions to test squad depth, with Juárez’s deeper rotation paying off.

The friendly served as a useful fitness exercise for both teams. FC Juárez will look to carry this momentum into their Liga MX campaign, while Mineros de Zacatecas will focus on tightening their defense ahead of their domestic fixtures.