The World Cup: Mexico

ThisDrinkingLife and The World Cup: Mexico

In the last six tournaments they have made the last 16 but no more, playing good football along the way. But its like a mental thing that stops them from progressing to the last eight. Its not like they haven’t done it before, they have twice before in 1986 and in 1970, but for a team of the quality of Mexico, 32 years is a long time to break that barrier.

Rafael Márquez is back for his fifth World Cup, yes his fifth! He is a wily old player, 39 to be exact, world class in his day, but I do wonder what the hell he is doing back with the team considering his two mistakes cost Mexico in the last World Cup and got them knocked out by the Dutch. Could he not have just let it go? Actually looking at the squad, it is quite an old squad, Héctor Moreno also a rock in defence (30), Andrés Guardado (31) and Giovani dos Santos (29) back in midfield and Javier Hernández (30) upfront. This will be the final swansong for a lot of the Mexican players on the world stage.

Can they do it this time and finally make the last eight? I dont think so. For two good reasons. Germany and Brazil stand in their way of doing that. I think they have a good chance of getting out of their group, they probably will lose to Germany, but definitely have the ability to beat both Sweden and South Korea. This will set up a second round game with most likely Group E champs Brazil. And no further forward will they go. Sadly.