Mexico Answers Back, Settles for 1–1 Draw Against Peru in New Jersey

By Guillermo Lopez
September 29, 2026 · Harrison, New Jersey

Mexico found a response, but couldn’t find a winner.

El Tri came back from a first-half deficit to draw 1–1 with Peru at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Tuesday night. Jairo Vélez put Peru ahead before Víctor Guzmán answered shortly after halftime, leaving Mexico with a draw in its second match under Rafael Márquez.

A sold-out crowd of 25,728 filled the stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, for the international friendly. The setting was there for Mexico to deliver a win, but Peru made sure El Tri would have to work for it.

Vélez supplied the opening punch in the 26th minute. After winning the ball from Jeremy Márquez, he finished past goalkeeper Óscar García to give Peru the lead. Mexico went into the break trailing 1–0, with a response needed in the second half.

That response came quickly.

In the 49th minute, Denzell García delivered a set piece into the area, and Guzmán rose to meet it with a header that brought Mexico level. A defender had provided the breakthrough, giving El Tri fresh momentum with most of the half still to play.

The equalizer changed the situation, but it didn’t settle the contest. Both sides had time to chase a winner, and neither could produce the finish needed to separate them. Peru’s Álex Valera sent a late effort wide before the match ended at 1–1.

For Mexico, the night offered a useful glimpse of the work ahead under Márquez. El Tri recovered after conceding and made an early second-half opportunity count. Turning that response into a complete winning performance remains the next step.

New Jersey got a comeback. Mexico left still looking for its first win of the Márquez era.