Following on from our effort to provide the very few reader here with a Who Cares Guide to every World Cup game, we offer up our Who Cares Guide to the World Cup Round of 16 match between Brazil v Mexico
But the casual reader and World Cup bandwagoner or Football cynic doesn’t have time to preview all the games, which is why we have compacted them all into a shortened form so you can impress fellow family, friends, and potential poo joggers (only Australians will probably get that reference) with your new found World Cup Round of 16 knowledge.
This time we offer some who cares thoughts on Brazil v Mexico Round of 16 clash.
GAME 5 – TUE 0:00 (AEST) – BRAZIL v MEXICO
THE WHO CARES QUALIFYING STORY
Sadly, Portugal have been eliminated, so the final all fans wanted of Mexico and Portugal, featuring fast kicking, low scoring and ties will not eventuate.
But it does leave us still with the mouthwatering clash of Brazil v Mexico.
If we get the Mexico who blew away Germany, and get the Brazil we all know and love them to be, this could be the clash of the Round of 16. That’s saying something after France v Argentina.
Mexico seemed to be cruising through Group E. Disposing of Germany, and accounting for South Korea, they were 2 from 2 and looking like 3/3 wouldn’t be too hard to imagine. But they came across Sweden who up to that point had been solid if unspectacular, but were blown away 3-0. With the South Korea v Germany game going on at the same time and 0-0, any German goal would have knocked them out. To a wave of Mexican joy, South Korea surprised Germany and the world with two late goals to become honourary Mexicans instantly.
And after being pelted with eggs on arrival to their own country, perhaps the South Koreans may wish to swap countries.
Brazil have done the job by being undefeated in first place in their group, but haven’t been overly convincing thus far.
Aside from Neymar’s hair, and a beautiful Coutinho goal in the first game, their progress has been solid rather than impressive. It took them all of 90 minutes to break down Costa Rica, and drew with Switzerland first up. The match against Serbia was a step in the right direction against a dangerous opposition, but if mexico play like they did against Germany, they will struggle no matter the superstars.
Against mexico is their dreadful record of going past the Round of 16. Which hasn’t happened on the last six occasions. Although, as an Australian football fans, we’d take that, and the goals they score.
BRAZIL – 1st Group E – 7pts – GD +4
1 of 3 that conceded just one goal
MEXICO – 2nd Group F – 6pts – GD -1
Needed South Korea to help them progress, to some funny scenes post game around the world.
WHO CARES HISTORY
Head to Head – Brazil 16 – Mexico 8 – Draw 4
Last Match – Brazil 2 Mexico 0 – 2015 Friendly
WHO CARES FOR A BET?
RESULT – Brazil $1.33 Mexico $7.00 Draw $4.00
TO QUALIFY – Brazil $1.22 Mexico $4.25
OUR BEST BET – Brazil to Qualify $1.22
WHO CARES WHAT WE THINK?
What we think will happen…
End to end entertainment with Brazil scoring a late goal to win 2-1.
What will probably happen..
Bugger all happens until Brazil get a lucky deflected goal after 85 minutes.
What our animal tipster Muttstradamus thinks…
Brazil
What our small children think…
Mexico
WHO CARES ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE?
Who’s next?
The winner of this game will play the winner of Belgium v Japan
What to watch out for…
Will Neymar has a break out game finally? Or Mexico kick the shit out of him too.
A Coutinho masterclass.
Hirving Lozano.
Finishing with…. a match preview Haiku
Both sides great at times
Mexico flogged the Germans
Careful for Brazil
