Mexico vs. Czechia: El Tri Chases a Perfect Group Stage as Javier Aguirre Prepares to Rotate His Squad | OneFootball

Changes are expected in Javier Aguirre’s starting XI for Wednesday’s clash against Czechia, a match in which Mexico already has the luxury of knowing it has secured first place in Group A.

For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, Mexico is aiming to win all three of its group-stage matches. A victory over the Europeans would send El Tri into the Round of 32 riding a wave of confidence.

Projected R32 Foes

If Mexico defeats Czechia and South Korea also beats South Africa on Wednesday, Group A would no longer produce one of the tournament’s best third-place finishers. That would increase Mexico’s chances of facing the third-place team from Group H from 39% to 49%, according to ESPN’s algorithm.

Group H currently features Spain with four points and the lowest probability of advancing as one of the best third-place teams, Uruguay with two points, Cape Verde with two points, and Saudi Arabia sitting at the bottom.

According to ESPN’s projections, Uruguay (27%), Ecuador (26%), Scotland (17%), and Cape Verde (7%) are the most likely opponents awaiting Mexico on June 30 in the Round of 32 at Estadio Ciudad de México.

Mexico’s Status

Inside the Mexican camp, the match against the Czechs is being treated with complete seriousness, even if Aguirre is expected to rest some of his regular starters and finally give opportunities to players who have spent most of the tournament watching from the bench.

That includes veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who is appearing in his sixth World Cup but has yet to play a single minute after Raúl Rangel firmly claimed the starting job.

Alongside Ochoa, AZ Alkmaar fullback Mateo Chávez could also make his World Cup debut by replacing Jesús Gallardo. Up front, Raúl Jiménez is expected to begin on the bench, opening the door for either Santiago Giménez or Armando González to lead the attack.

Wednesday will also mark the return of center back César “Cachorro” Montes, who missed the South Korea match after being sent off in Mexico’s World Cup opener against South Africa.

Montes’ return creates an interesting headache for Aguirre. Against South Korea, captain Edson Álvarez filled in at center back and delivered an outstanding performance. Now the “Vasco” must decide whether to stick with the in-form Álvarez or restore Montes to the starting lineup.

More rotations are also expected in midfield, although Erik Lira, the heartbeat of that unit so far, appears set to keep his place. Gilberto Mora and Obed Vargas could join him, while Luis Romo and Álvaro Fidalgo remain strong candidates for minutes as well.

The only attackers who seem untouchable are Julián Quiñones and Roberto Alvarado, both of whom have started Mexico’s first two World Cup matches.

Mexico has yet to concede a goal through two games, making its defensive solidity and goalkeeping its greatest strengths so far.

Czechia Preview

As for Czechia, Wednesday’s showdown is about as close to do-or-die as it gets.

The team coached by Miroslav Koubek has endured a disappointing tournament so far. The Czechs opened their campaign in Guadalajara by taking the lead against South Korea, only to watch the match slip away in a 2-1 defeat. Then, against South Africa in Atlanta, they once again threw away an early advantage and settled for a 1-1 draw.

Against Mexico, there is only one acceptable result: victory.

A win would keep Czechia’s hopes alive of advancing as one of the tournament’s best third-place teams. The problem? Standing in the way is the strongest-looking side in Group A, backed by 85,000 fans expected to pack Estadio Ciudad de México.

And there’s the altitude. Mexico City sits approximately 2,240 meters (7,350 feet) above sea level, and that could become an unexpected ally. Czechia established its World Cup base camp in Dallas, Texas, and has already traveled to Guadalajara, then Atlanta, and now Mexico City. It might not sound dramatic, but all that flying, combined with the altitude, tends to take a toll on players over the course of a tournament.

A draw is worthless. Win or pack your bags.

The current World Cup already marks Czechia’s first appearance since 2006, when Pavel Nedvěd, Milan Baroš, Jan Koller, and Tomáš Rosický were the faces of the national team.

The only scenario in which Czechia advances as the group runner-up is by defeating Mexico while South Africa beats South Korea by exactly one goal.

Projected Lineups

Mexico XI:Guillermo Ochoa; Mateo Chávez, Johan Vásquez, César Montes, Israel Reyes; Erik Lira, Gilberto Mora, Obed Vargas; Julián Quiñones, Santiago Giménez, Roberto Alvarado.

Czechia XI:Matěj Kovář; Robin Hranáč, Tomáš Holeš, Ladislav Krejčí, Vladimír Coufal; Michal Sadílek, Vladimír Darida, Lukáš Červ, Alexandr Sojka; Adam Hložek, Patrik Schick.

Read More about Group A

South Africa vs. South Korea Match PreviewMexico vs. South Korea Match ReportJulián Quiñones – Mexico’s Breakout StarWorld Cup Group A: “Unknown” Players to Watch