On Wednesday, Mexico will host the Czech Republic at Estadio Azteca, seeking three more points in Group A of the 2026 World Cup and hoping to complete a perfect group-stage campaign for the first time in tournament history.
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After defeating South Africa 2-0 and South Korea 1-0, Mexico has already secured first place in its group, guaranteeing that it will play its Round of 32 match at Estadio Azteca.
Head coach Javier Aguirre will welcome center back Cesar Montes back into the lineup after he served a suspension following his red card against South Africa, a return that will result in changes to the starting lineup.
Aguirre is expected to leave midfielder Brian Gutierrez on the bench because he is carrying a yellow card, allowing the coach to avoid the risk of another booking that would rule him out of the next round.
Unlike Mexico, the Czech Republic must win to advance to the Round of 32. The Czechs lost to South Korea and drew with South Africa, leaving them needing three points to move into second place in the group or finish third with four points.
To achieve that objective, Miroslav Koubek’s team will have to hand Mexico its first-ever World Cup defeat at Estadio Azteca, a difficult challenge that the Europeans will try to accomplish through their strong aerial play and effectiveness on set pieces.
Forward Patrik Schick, of Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen, will lead the attack, while West Ham midfielder Tomaš Souček will be the driving force in midfield.
Koubek will set up his team to take the initiative but will also be careful not to leave space at the back, where Mexico could prove lethal through its attacking duo of Raul Jimenez and Julian Quiñones.
In the other Group A match on the third and final matchday, to be played in Monterrey, South Korea, which has one win and one loss, will face South Africa, which has one draw and one defeat.
Source: teleSUR English
