Hector Moreno confident Mexico can qualify for Round of 16 | OneFootball

Mexican national team defender Hector Moreno remains confident El Tri can qualify for the Round of 16, claiming the game against Poland will be the determining factor.

"I see it as key [the match against Poland] not because of the fact that Argentina is the best team or Saudi Arabia the worst, as many times they have tried to handle it, I see it as key simply because it is the first game,” he said to TUDN following Mexico’s 1-2 defeat against Sweden.

"Winning the first three points in the Group Phase is a great advantage and gives you a certain margin with a draw or hopefully with one more victory to qualify, the situation has arisen that you qualify with 4 points, it would be a great step towards qualifying.”

The team is coming off two telling friendlies, picking up a 4-0 victory against Iraq before losing to Sweden. Head coach Gerardo Martino cautioned the team after the last match, explaining that Poland are likely to adopt Sweden’s style: defensive, but lethal on set piece goals.

Mexico conceded the first goal against Sweden in a counterattack, before a successful corner sealed the 2-1 victory. Moreno maintained that with Robert Lewandowski on the pitch for Poland, Mexico cannot make those mistakes.

Episode 2 of 90min’s Real Futbol Show sees co-hosts Lizzy Becherano and Geno Gonello do a deep dive of the Mexican national team, analyzing the 26-player roster headed to Qatar, Gerardo Martino’s shocking omissions and the final friendly against Sweden. With their first game against Poland right around the corner, tune in for all El Tri related information.

"Hopefully we can achieve it, he is a very talented rival, they have focused a lot on Lewandowski, obviously because he is the star of the team and because of the great moment he is experiencing in Barcelona, ​​but in general they have a very complete team with players in the big leagues."

Mexico kicks off their 2022 World Cup campaign on Tuesday, November 22 against Poland, before taking on Group C opponents Argentina and Saudi Arabia.