10. Mexico
Like Russia, El Tri wowed through their first two matches, only to end an otherwise positive group campaign in disappointing fashion. Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat to Sweden was a squib damp enough to condemn Mexico to second place in Group F.
It was also the first time a team this talented going forward has looked pedestrian in attacking areas. What compounded the performance was the fact coach Juan Carlos Osorio opted against resting star names.
So Mexico were dull going forward even though Carlos Vela, Javier Hernandez and Hirving Lozano all started. Even a midfield led by twin purveyors of passing Hector Herrera and Andres Guardado was too easily bypassed.
The result left Osorio doubting his tactics, per ESPN FC’s Tom Marshall:
Osorio describes himself as “hurt” at the performance today. Hints he should’ve played with a line of 3 at the back #eltrieng #mex
— Tom Marshall (@mexicoworldcup) June 27, 2018
Now hardly seems like the time for soul-searching, not with a last-16 meeting against Brazil on the horizon. Mexico have been a joy to watch at times, but Sweden exposed a potentially fatal fragility ahead of the knockout phase.