Carlos Vela (L) of Mexico and Son Heung-min of South Korea in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between South Korea and Mexico in Rostov-On-Don, Russia, 23 June 2018.
by
Graeme Jackson
Tuesday Jun 26, 2018. 12:00
Mexico will look to secure a place in the last 16 of the 2018 World Cup when they face Sweden in their final Group F match, set for Wednesday, June 27 at the Central Stadium in Yekaterinburg. Kick-off is at 16h00 CAT.
The North Americans are sitting pretty at the top of the pool, having claimed wins over Germany and South Korea in their first two matches. This means ‘El Tri’ need only a draw to be guaranteed of progression (and top spot).
Even a defeat may not end with elimination – depending on how heavily they are beaten and the result of the other group match between Germany and South Korea in Kazan.
Sweden come into the game looking to recover from the heartbreaking defeat they suffered at the hands of Germany this past weekend. The Scandinavian team conceded a last-gasp goal to Toni Kroos to go down 2-1 and see their last 16 hopes put in major doubt.
The permutations for ‘Blue Yellow’ progression may also depend on the game between Germany Korea, though a win by two clear goals would put them ahead of Mexico on goal difference and guarantee a top-two spot regardless of what happens in Kazan.
In head-to-head terms, Mexico and Sweden have met in nine previous matches, according to FIFA’s statistics database. The ‘Blue Yellow’ have claimed four wins compared to two for ‘El Tri’, while three games have been drawn.
The teams’ only World Cup meeting was way back in 1958, with the Swedes winning 3-0 on home soil in Solna. Their most recent clash was a friendly in Oakland in 2009 which was won 1-0 by the European side.
Mexico v Sweden – head-to-head
Matches played 9
Mexico wins 2
Sweden wins 4
Draws 3
Mexico goals 5
Sweden goals 8
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