YEKATERINBURG, Russia – After two matches played at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, the Mexican National Team is hoping to scale heights never seen before in its history.
For the first time ever in 16 World Cup apperances, Mexico can complete a World Cup group stage with a perfect record should it defeat Sweden on Wednesday in Yekaterinburg.
However, despite the allure of a history-making win versus Sweden, El Tricolor’s focus remains on the field and making sure it secures a result to earn a ticket to the knockout round.
“We’re happy that things are going well in the World Cup, but there’s still much left,” said Mexico GK Guillermo Ochoa in a press conference on Sunday.
“So we are all hopeful, with our feet on the ground. You have to continue with that calmness, humility, because we have not forgotten everything that we’ve gone through, nor the way in which [the fans] said goodbye to us in Mexico and that keeps us united and strong mentally,” added Ochoa.
Previously, only once had El Tricolor won its first two matches at a World Cup (South Korea/Japan 2002) before doing so at Russia 2018 in the 1-0 win over Germany and 2-1 triumph against South Korea.
Four times Mexico has achieved a 2W-1D-0L record in a World Cup group stage (1970, 1986, 2002, 2014), but a victory over Sweden on Wednesday would mark its first 3W-0D-0L record in a group stage.
The wins versus Germany and South Korea also improve Mexico’s World Cup group stage record since Mexico 1986 to 12W-8D-3L, with 32 goals scored and 19 goals conceded in that span.
Overall, in 16 World Cup appearances, Mexico’s group stage record sits at 15W-12D-19L, no doubt bolstered by its performances in the last eight tournaments.
