The Mexican National Team led by Javier “Vasco” Aguirre faces the England team this Sunday, July 5, in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup in Mexico City.
Faced with the scenario of a close match that could reach a definitive stage, the fans ask themselves a key question: who will defend the national goal if there is a penalty shootout?
José Raúl Rangel Aguilar, known as Raúl “Tala” Rangel, is Tri’s undisputed starting goalkeeper in this World Cup tournament. At 26 years old, the Chivas del Guadalajara goalkeeper is experiencing the best moment of his career.
His consolidation in the Sacred Flock and his solid performances with the Tricolor have made him one of the goalkeepers with the greatest projection in Mexican soccer.
The results of “Tala” Rangel in the 2026 World Cup:
· Parties in dispute: 4 games as a starter.
· Total saves: 6 key stops in the tournament.
· Goals received: 0 goals (maintained a clean sheet in the group stage and round of 32).
· Goals avoided: 1.66 (one of the best statistics of the entire World Cup).
· Historical streak: He broke the record for most minutes without conceding a goal in the history of the Mexican teams in World Cups.
The other two goalkeepers called up, who appear as alternatives for ownership or possible change options, are Guillermo Ochoa and Carlos Acevedo.
Who is Carlos Acevedo?
Despite Rangel’s extraordinary moment, the shadow of penalties opens the strategic debate. Carlos Acevedo, goalkeeper of Club Santos Laguna, was born in Torreón, Coahuila, and is 30 years old. He is regularly summoned to Tri to provide security and internal competition.
According to the statistics, Carlos Acevedo would be considered a main option for the penalty shootout. The Lagunero has the best effectiveness in stopping shots from eleven steps compared to the other goalkeepers of the Mexican National Team, which could tempt “Vasco” Aguirre to a last-minute strategic change.
Guillermo Ochoa, in his sixth World Cup 2026
The shortlist of goalkeepers who support the starter is completed by the legendary Guillermo Ochoa, who attends this tournament to contribute his valuable experience.
Ochoa has achieved the historic mark of being present in six World Cups, joining the international elite alongside figures such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. His extraordinary performances in past editions against powers such as Brazil and Germany have established him as one of the most outstanding goalkeepers in the history of World Cup tournaments.
