Portugal v Mexico - Preview

Mexico aim to defy history with Portugal win

Mexico are aiming to reverse a dreadful record against European opponents by beating Portugal to top Group D in their final first round match on Wednesday.

Portugal's three goal-scorers at this World Cup will miss the match their coach said on Tuesday.

Pauleta, Deco and Cristiano Ronaldo, whose goals against Angola and Iran secured Portugal's first qualification for the knock-out stages in 40 years, are among five players stood down.

"The only changes I'm going to make are the five players that have yellow cards," said Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

"None of them is going to play one minute, even if Mexico is winning 30-0."

Mexico need only a draw to make sure of the knock-out round but are keen to avoid a match-up with free-scoring Argentina, favourites to win the parallel Group C.

"A win is vital as that's the only result which really serves our purpose. Although a draw might well see us reach the next round we are only thinking of winning," said midfielder Pavel Pardo.

However, history is not in Mexico's favour with just one win in their past 10 World Cup matches against European teams.

In four of their five forays past the first round, their campaign floundered against teams from the continent.

They will also be playing without all-time leading scorer Jared Borgetti, who picked up an injury in the 3-1 win against Iran and will not return until the knock-out stages.

"There is no way he will be able to play against Portugal," said team doctor Milton Graniolatti.

"We hope to get him fit by the end of the week for the second round."

With Portugal already qualified, Mexico can still be beaten into second place if they lose on Wednesday and Angola beat Iran by three goals.

Elimination would be a cruel blow for Mexico, who topped the group after the opening games and are gunning to make it past the quarter-finals for the first time in 13 attempts.

They have had mixed fortunes here, matched for 45 minutes before subduing Iran and held to a goalless draw by Angola last week.

But coach Ricardo Lavolpe has faith in a team which has beaten both Brazil and Argentina over the past two years.

"I think generally we have an idea about football. The team moves around very well. When we play against any team we need to focus on ourselves, not so much on the opposition," he said.

Mexico will also be boosted by signs that Portugal will take a more relaxed approach to the match.

"Against Mexico we can be calmer, we can rest some players and then we'll have to see what happens in the last 16," said their World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

But Portugal remain strong favourites for the match after an unbeaten run in competitive matches that stretches back to February 2005.

Right-back Miguel, a rising star under Scolari, said the Brazilian coach had worked to stamp out the fragility that saw them flop in 1986 and 2002.

"Scolari gives us a psychological advantage," he said. "Now we have learned to take every game as seriously as we should."

Under Scolari, Portugal reached the Euro 2004 final and wins against Angola and Iran have put them through to the knock-out stages for the first time since 1966.

The last time Portugal qualified from the group stage was in 1966, when thanks to Eusebio's nine goals they reached the semi-finals before being beaten by eventual champions England.

They flopped in a relatively easy group in 1986 and were surprisingly sent packing in 2002 after defeats to the United States and South Korea.

Teams

Portugal

Ricardo, Marco Caneira, Fernando Meira, Luis Figo (capt), Petit, Simao Sabrosa, Miguel, Ricardo Carvalho, Maniche, Tiago, Helder Postiga. Coach: Luiz Felipe Scolari

Mexico

Oswaldo Sanchez, Carlos Salcido, Rafael Marquez (capt), Ricardo Osorio, Pavel Pardo, Gonzalo Pineda, Mario Mendez, Jose Fonseca, Omar Bravo, Francisco Rodriguez, Luis Perez. Coach: Ricardo Lavolpe

Referee

Michel Lubos (SVK)