Mexico rolling, but still at risk of ouster
MOSCOW – Based of its performances and results so far, there is no question that Mexico deserves to reach the round of 16 at the World Cup.
It has won both of its first two games, playing determined, enterprising and entertaining soccer. Its displays have been good enough that many – this publication included – believes it is a genuine threat to win the World Cup, surprising as that may have sounded before the tournament.
Hirving Lozano is becoming an international star, Javier Hernandez is reproducing his finest World Cup form and Guillermo Ochoa is remembering how to be a world-class goalkeeper. What could go wrong?
However, thanks to a quirk in the results and standings of Group F, Mexico, for all its fine efforts so far, sits one bad game away from disaster. Ninety minutes from all the fine work so far being rendered obsolete. A defeat to Sweden in the Siberian city of Ekaterinburg on Wednesday, combined with a highly plausible victory for Germany over South Korea by two goals or greater, and El Tri would stunningly be bidding goodbye to the World Cup.
It hardly seems fair. After all, host nation Russia and Uruguay both won each of their opening games and they are guaranteed to play in the knockout round. France did the same, and it is through. So too is Croatia, also on six points, while Belgium was poised on Sunday to officially punch its ticket as well.
So why is Mexico still in peril, instead of being able to enjoy the fruits of its two outstanding performances – a tremendous 1-0 upset win over Germany and a resilient 2-1 disposal of South Korea?
Blame Toni Kroos. Until Germany’s star midfielder rifled in a destiny changing free-kick in the final moments of his team’s clash with Sweden on Saturday night, Mexico was in glorious shape. Had Germany v. Sweden ended 1-1, as appeared so likely, Juan Carlos Osorio’s team would be through to the knockout stage of the tournament for the seventh time in succession.
Instead, with Kroos’ winning goal, things have become mightily complicated, to the extent that Mexico still has plenty of work to do and even South Korea, mired at the foot of the table on zero points, has a shot at making it into the top 16 teams.
It shouldn’t matter. Mexico is a better team than Sweden right now, with a lot more attacking energy, a higher level of confidence, and, after the Swedes suffered such a demoralizing setback courtesy of Kroos, way more momentum.
If Osorio’s men play anything like they did in games one and two, then securing the necessary point against Sweden should be well within their capabilities. That said, there will still be some jangling nerves among Mexican fans, especially if the team finds itself in a hole early on Wednesday.
Osorio must be delighted with his team’s showing so far, just a month after Mexico supporters chanted for him to be sacked amid gloomy predictions for the World Cup campaign.
Yet there will be little room for complacency from the coach, with a spot in the knockout round looming but with danger also lurking.
“We have received a lot of praise but remain focused nonetheless,” Osorio said. “We want to celebrate but then it is back to work, focusing on the next match.”
It is not in Mexico’s nature to play with negativity, even though keeping Sweden off the scoresheet would be enough to guarantee that this uplifting World Cup journey continues, and that the thousands of jubilant Mexico fans that have traveled here continue to party.
Sweden, for its part, has no choice but to come out offensively, given the strong likelihood that Germany, having earned itself a reprieve, should have too much strength and quality for South Korea.
That combination should result in an entertaining game, and we need no reminding that Mexico has been entertaining throughout, while becoming one of the World Cup’s most enjoyable storylines.
The reality that the dream could end so suddenly is one of the competition’s cruelest potential twists, yet everything Mexico has shown so far would indicate it has the resolve and the character to overcome its latest hurdle.