Mexico
FIFA World Ranking: 15
Qualifying Average Goals Per Match: 1.81
Qualifying Average Goals Against Per Match: 0.50
Qualifying Top Scorer: Hirving Lozano (4)
World Cup Best Performance: Quarter Finals (1970 &1986)
Group F Opponents: Germany, South Korea and Sweden
The Manager: Huan Carlos Osorio
Assistant at Manchester City for four years, Colombian Osorio has forged the majority of his managerial career in the North and South American leagues and has been at the helm at El Tri since 2015. Barring the odd blip, Mexico have enjoyed a solid record under Osorio, winning 30 of 46 games under his tutelage. One thing about Osorio is that he isn’t afraid to change things if they aren’t working, be that through changing players from game to game, or the formation during a match. Some complain that he tinkers too much, but in a world in which many can be too slow to adjust, his approach is to be admired.
The Squad:
Solid throughout with a reliable and settled spine, Mexico probably do have the second best squad in this group behind red hot favourites Germany.
Guillermo Ochoa starts between the sticks and continues to impress with his shot stopping ability. Having performed so well in Brazil four years ago, he also brings plenty of experience of playing on the big stage.
One of the biggest stories could come at the back, with 39 year old Rafael Márquez still hoping to be on the plane to Russia. This would be his fifth World Cup if selected.
Captain Andrés Guardado continues to be rock solid in the centre of the park., but it is in the attacking midfield positions where this Mexico side has the potential to stand out from the crowd. The likes of Hirving Lozano – who has lit up the Eredivisie with PSV this season – and Porto’s box of tricks Jesús Corona aren’t the most consistent at times, but do have the potential to light up the stage in Russia.
Javier “Chicarito” Hernandez remains the darling of the national team for many, and whilst the ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid man may not be quite the force of old, he can still be relied upon to be the first to sniff out and finish any chances in the box.
Star Man: Andrés Guradado
Plenty of lively attacking options in this side but the real bedrock of the team is Real Betis’s hard working midfielder Guardado. Mexico’s captain fantastic leads by example with his composure on the ball and his pride and passion at playing for his country must be infectious for his team mates.
Outlook:
Mexico nearly always make it to the last 16 of the competition, having done so in each of the last six World Cups. We suspect they may just miss out here though. Sweden look like being a mightily tough nut to crack and have overcome bigger obstacles than La Tri to make it to the finals. Mexico have been found wanting in the big games at times and will likely be on the back foot from the off here considering they have to play Germany in their first game.
Group E Prediction: http://fastgoal.com/forum/index.php?topic=2476.0