MOSCOW — Don’t laugh now, but here it is – Mexico could win the World Cup, writes soccer commentator Martin Rogers in USA Today…
As unexpected as that statement might have sounded at the start of the tournament, and as ludicrous as it would have been two years ago, it is now one of the most remarkable realities in the early part of this unpredictable event.
Saturday’s 2-1 victory over South Korea in Rostov-on-don gave Mexico its second straight win of the competition and put it on the cusp of the knockout round.
Beating South Korea isn’t, in itself, the kind of thing that should serve as a reliable pointer toward international glory, and it isn’t. What sets Mexico apart is its newfound ruthlessness and a level of resiliency that, if sustained, will make it an opponent no team wishes to face.
Spain doesn’t have a perfect record in this tournament after two games. Neither does Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, nor perennial favorite Brazil, and certainly not poor old Argentina and Lionel Messi.
And neither does Germany, the defending champion, after Mexico pieced together a stirring upset in the opening match for both sides.
Mexico is part of a select group that includes only host nation Russia, France and Belgium, in going 2-0-0 and possessing the kind of swaggering confidence that comes with that.
Source: USA Today
MEXICO’S BEST SHOWINGS IN FIFA WORLD CUP OVER TIME:
1970 AND 1986: REACHED QUARTER FINALS.
Mexico has qualified to sixteen World Cups and has qualified consecutively since 1994, making it one of six countries to do so. The Mexico national team, along with Brazil and Germany, are the only nations to make it out of the group stage over the last six World Cups.
