Jorge Sánchez breaks silence after Mexico's defeat to Chile: 'It is good that these things happen'

MEXICO CITY – Defender Jorge Sánchez has spoken publicly for the first time since Mexico's defeat to Chile, at a moment when the national team under head coach Rafael Márquez is enduring its worst start in nearly 60 years.

Speaking to the media, the Atlas full-back, who plays in Liga MX, offered a brief verdict: "It is good that these things happen." According to Sánchez, losing early in a new cycle helps the coaching staff and the players see the outstanding problems clearly, rather than letting them accumulate and surface at a more sensitive moment.

"We have to realise what we are failing to do well," the full-back added. He stressed that the group needs to "turn the page" after a FIFA Date he described as "somewhat complicated", and to return to their clubs to do their jobs properly.

Worst start in nearly 60 years

The defeat to Chile marked Mexico's second loss in the first four matches of the Rafael Márquez era. The statistics show the North American side managed only 2 draws, lost 2 matches, scored just 2 goals and conceded 7. The goal difference therefore stands at -5.

On average, Mexico scored 0.5 goals per game and conceded 1.75. That is a signal that the problem is not a single isolated match but systemic: the team struggles to create chances while also leaving large gaps at the back.

Domestic media describe this as one of the worst starts to a Mexican national team cycle in almost 60 years. The figure is all the more striking because Rafael Márquez was appointed amid very high expectations.

Results spread across different opponent profiles

Notably, the negative results are not concentrated against one type of opponent. Mexico lost to the United States, a CONCACAF rival, and also lost to Chile, a CONMEBOL side. The two draws came against Colombia and Peru, both South American teams.

This mixed spread of opponents makes the "styles make fights" explanation less convincing. The problem most likely lies in a transition phase: a new cycle, a new squad core and operating principles that have not yet been clearly defined.

Mexico's willingness to face South American opposition shows a deliberate strategy of testing itself against broadly stronger teams. So far, however, the early returns of that strategy have not been positive.

Mexico's standing in the regional picture

Within the CONCACAF hierarchy, Mexico has long been regarded as one of the two leading powers alongside the United States. That status means any poor result is judged more harshly than it would be for other teams in the region.

When defeats come from both a regional rival and South American sides, the sense of decline becomes sharper. The pressure therefore arrives from several directions at once, rather than from a single rivalry.

Pressure mounting on Rafael Márquez

Rafael Márquez's appointment was described as a carefully planned succession after the Javier "Vasco" Aguirre era ended. It was not an emergency hire, and that may buy the coach more time.

Yet results on the pitch are opening a wide gap between expectation and reality. Those expectations are amplified because Mexico is a co-host of the 2026 World Cup. A cycle building towards a home tournament always carries special brand and media pressure.

Every Mexico result in this period is viewed through the lens of the biggest tournament in the world. That means even scoreless-friendly matches carry significant image weight.

Jorge Sánchez's role as spokesperson

Against that backdrop, a senior player such as Jorge Sánchez facing the media immediately after a defeat is a familiar dressing-room stabilisation move. He absorbs some of the pressure on behalf of the coaching staff while also sending an internal message to his team-mates.

Sánchez stressed that players must be "mentally prepared" and must improve their performances. He also referred to squad members wanting "to continue being on this list".

That is a signal that competition for national-team places is intense, meaning every individual faces pressure to prove their value at club level. Such competition can drive motivation, but it can also breed anxiety.

Jorge Sánchez becoming the public voice after a defeat suggests his leadership role in the dressing room is gradually taking shape. That may be a positive signal for a group that needs authoritative voices amid a media storm.

Missing technical data

It should be noted that the source provides no specific tactical data at all, from formation and pressing intensity to expected-goals metrics. Any claim about Rafael Márquez's tactical identity at this stage is therefore pure speculation.

What can be stated is that the defensive record is concerning. Seven goals conceded in four matches is a high figure for a team in the CONCACAF top tier. At the same time, the attack has scored only 2 goals, reflecting problems in attacking organisation and a lack of automatic combinations.

With a sample of just 4 matches, a definitive verdict on Rafael Márquez's ability remains premature. The direction, however, is clear: no wins, few goals scored and many conceded.

The November window and media pressure

According to the source, Mexico's next match will take place in mid-November 2026. Almost a month without a fixture means the team has no pressure valve in the form of on-pitch results.

In similar situations, media pressure tends to build rather than dissipate. Questions about the coach's future, squad selection and playing direction will keep coming, especially with the new cycle only just beginning.

On one hand, the fact that no competitive points are at stake reduces the immediate consequences. On the other, it makes the shortest route to relief, namely a win, feel further away.

Looking ahead

For Mexico, the November FIFA Date will be an important checkpoint. If the winless run continues, pressure on Rafael Márquez will shift from media debate into genuine questions about his position.

Conversely, a single positive result could change the picture quickly, because the current data foundation is still far too thin to support any long-term conclusion.

In the immediate term, Mexico's players will return to their clubs, where they continue playing in Liga MX. Club form will be the basis on which the coaching staff make personnel adjustments for the next call-up.

With a new cycle only four matches old, Mexico's story still has many chapters ahead. But the message Jorge Sánchez left behind is clear: acknowledging the problem is the first step, and at this moment, that may be a good thing.