Toni Kroos’ last-second game-winning free kick killed Sweden’s hopes of progressing. What they need now is nearly impossible considering how proficient and well prepared the Mexicans have proven to be in Russia. That is a win over Mexico, desirably by more than one goal. We’ll find out whether the Yellow and Blue succeed on Wednesday afternoon at 16:00 in Ekaterinburg.
Mexico comes into this match as one of the top five World Cup performers thus far. Chicharito, Vela and Lozano are in charge of goals, but in general, this squad is the epitome of a team, a band of brothers fighting to the last breath defending the country’s honour. Two wins in two games have El Tri on top of Group F. They need at least a tie in the last fixture against to remain there and avoid a potential meeting with Brazil in the Round of 16.
Toni Kroos’ goal changed everything in this group. Not only did it put Germany in a great position to progress, it put Mexico, a team that hasn’t put a foot wrong, in a scary position where a loss to Sweden could see them drop out of the competition. The Swedes, of course, are the losers of the entire situation. They are a defensive-minded team who have to chase victory against a team deadly on the counter attack. They have to be who they’re not and that spells trouble.
Janne Andersson doesn’t have many options on the bench, so we shouldn’t expect any changes in the Swedish starting lineup. Osorio does have a good bench, but we shouldn’t expect alterations in his starting eleven either. With a win on Wednesday, Mexico will become the first CONCACAF team in World Cup history to record three consecutive victories.
Mexico’s support at this World Cup has been astounding and that shouldn’t change in Ekaterinburg. The stadiums seats are orange, but they’ll be covered in green when the referee blows the opening whistle. That, along with the fact El Tri are the better team overall, should give them the edge.
Projected starting lineups
Mexico: Guillermo Ochoa, Hector Moreno, Carlos Salcedo, Omar Alvarez, Miguel Layun, Hector Herrera, Andres Guardado (captain), Carlos Vela, Hirving Lozano, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez.
Sweden: Robin Olsen, Ludwig Augustinsson, Andreas Granqvist (captain), Victor Lindelof, Mikael Lustig, Emil Forsberg, Albin Ekdal, Sebastian Larsson, Viktor Claesson, Ola Toivonen, Marcus Berg.
Betting odds
Mexico 2.3
Draw 3.1
Sweden 3.3