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“Imaginemos cosas chingonas”. It has been the phrase of this World Cup for the Mexico national team. On the eve of their Group Stage decider, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez continues to urge El Tri fans to dream.
In order to continue dreaming, though, El Tri first face a tough task in reaching the Round of 16, as they take on Sweden in Ekaterinburg, Russia.It’s as simple as a draw or a win for Mexico and they are through. A defeat, however, could mean elimination at the hands of the Swedes.
Sweden have been far from impressive, but their highlight is their vertical play and set-piece scoring, just about everything Mexico hate about a team. That is exactly what makes this game so dangerous for El Tri. They have played a marvelous World Cup up to now and it can all be undone in just one game against a team that relies very little on their offensive play.
It can be frustrating, no doubt, but it was always going to come down to this. Who thought Mexico would even beat Germany in the first game? If there is any game where Mexico can/must show the strength of their fútbol it is this one. Just like four years ago against Croatia, the stage is set. It is now or never.
HOW TO WATCH, STREAM 2018 WORLD CUP
Date: Wednesday, June 27
Time: 7:00am Pacific, 9:00am Central, 10:00am Eastern
Venue: Central Stadium, Ekaterinburg, Russia
TV: FOX Network (US-English), Telemundo (US-Spanish), Azteca 7 (Mexico), TDN (Mexico), Sky HD (Mexico), UnivisionTDN (Mexico), Canal de las Estrellas (Mexico), SVT 1 (Sweden)
Streaming: Telemundo (streamed on NBC Sports); fuboTV (Free trial + monthly subscription)