Mexico vs Colombia: The history behind Rafael Márquez's debut
As Rafael Márquez takes charge of the Mexican national team, we examine the historical record against Colombia ahead of his debut.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 / Author: مهدی زارع
A new era begins for the Mexican national team as Rafael Márquez makes his debut as head coach against a formidable rival, Colombia, at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
Historically, Mexico has held the upper hand in this rivalry, recording 13 wins, nine draws, and 10 losses across 32 encounters, with 37 goals scored against 33 conceded. However, the tide has turned recently, with the 'Tricolor' suffering four consecutive defeats against the South Americans.
The rivalry dates back to 1938 with a 3-1 Mexican victory, but the dynamic shifted significantly during the 1993 Copa América. Known as the 'Ghost of Machala,' a controversial refereeing decision during that match marked Mexico's first-ever defeat to Colombia in the tournament, sparking a long-standing competitive tension.
The intensity of this rivalry was cemented in the 2001 Copa América final in Bogotá, where Colombia secured their first and only tournament title with a 1-0 win over Mexico via an Iván Ramiro Córdoba header.
Mexico’s last victory over Colombia dates back to September 2010. Since then, the 'Cafeteros' have dominated, including a 4-0 thrashing last year in Dallas. The upcoming clash in Baltimore offers a fresh opportunity for Márquez to break this streak and set a positive tone for his tenure.