Mexico is ready for latest test

MOSCOW — So many favorites have been eliminated already at the World Cup that Brazil, trying to make amends for its disappointing performance while hosting the 2014 tournament, now has a strong shot at leaving Russia with a record-extending title.

Brazil faces

Mexico in the round of 16 today at Samara Arena, and with Argentina, Germany, Portugal and Spain already eliminated, a victory would make the five-time World

Cup champion one of the top bets to win it all in Russia.

Brazil was in a similar position four years ago but was humiliated

7-1 by eventual champion Germany in the semifinals.

Brazil fullback Danilo is available to play after missing his country’s past two matches with a right hip injury, but that’s not the case for versatile teammate Marcelo — who left early in the group stage finale against Serbia with back spasms — and winger Douglas Costa (thigh injury).

Mexico, which will be without defender Hector Moreno (yellow card accumulation), is seeking its first “quinto partido” (fifth game) at the World Cup since 1986. El Tri has made it to the round of 16 for the past six tournaments only to miss the quarterfinals each time.

Mexico upset Germany 1-0 in the group opener for its first victory over the four-time World Cup champion in a competitive match.

“We’re motivated by the fact that we’re in the knockout stage, facing Brazil and one victory from reaching the fifth game,” Mexico captain Andres Guardado said. “It doesn’t go through my mind to think that this will be the last game that I’m going to play with the national team at a World Cup. We advanced despite a difficult group, and we’re here. It’s in our hands.”

Brazil has reached at least the quarterfinals at the past six World Cups and advanced to three finals, winning two. The expectations and pressure are mounting, but midfielder Casemiro said Germany’s early ouster was an eyeopener for all the top teams.

“We are relaxed about it. All our players are top class — their clubs are always favorites,” Casemiro said. “We are already accustomed to the pressure. We always have respect, tranquility and humility. We have to play football to beat Mexico.”

Brazil and Mexico met four years ago and played to a scoreless draw. Prior to that, Brazil had won the three previous World Cup meetings.

“We also had never beat Germany in a World Cup, and we did it,” Guardado said. “We’re going to hold on to that because we came here to make history, and we’re going to do everything to achieve it. The numbers against Brazil are just a stat, and it doesn’t count once the game kicks off.”

“We’re motivated by the fact that we’re in the knockout stage, facing Brazil and one victory from reaching the fifth game.”

— MEXICO’S ANDRES GUARDADO