Brazil vs Mexico: Predictions, stats and analysis

After a shock 1-0 defeat against Mexico in their opening game of the World Cup 2018, Germany will be facing Sweden in their second match of the group stage and the defending champions will be looking to seal their first victory in this edition of the football extravaganza. However, Sweden will also look for getting three more points to ensure their place in the second round of the tournament. The match is scheduled to start at 12:00 am in Bangladesh time. Let’s look at some of the statistics ahead of the encounter.

Head-to-head:

1) Germany (or West Germany) are unbeaten in their past 11 games against Sweden (winning six, drawing five), whose last win came against West Germany in April 1978 (3-1).

2) The two most recent matches between these sides have produced a total of 16 goals - with a 4-4 draw in Germany in October 2012 before Sweden lost 5-3 at home in qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.

3) Germany (or West Germany) have won three of their four World Cup games against Sweden (in 1934, 1974 and 2006), with their only defeat coming in 1958 when Sweden - as host nation - reached the final.

4) That was Sweden's only competitive win against the Germans (with three draws and eight defeats) - their other 11 victories against them came in friendlies.

Germany:

1) Defeat against Mexico in Moscow was only the second time a German side had lost their opener at a World Cup, also losing against Algeria in 1982. However, they reached the final of the competition that year.

2) West Germany lost back-to-back matches at the 1958 World Cup, to Sweden in the semi-final and France in the third-place match, while East Germany lost back-to-back matches to Brazil and the Netherlands in 1974 - but no German side has suffered successive defeats at the finals since.

3) Thomas Muller has scored 10 goals from just 14 shots on target at the World Cup.

4) But Muller was the only outfield Germany player to not register a single shot in their defeat by Mexico and he has not had a shot in his past 239 minutes of World Cup football.

Sweden:

1) Sweden have faced the reigning champions at the World Cup twice before and won both times - in 1950 against Italy and 1958 against West Germany.

2) Their 1-0 win against South Korea was their first in their opening match at a World Cup since beating Mexico 3-0 as hosts in 1958.

3) They also last won consecutive World Cup matches back in 1958 en route to the final.

4) Sweden's goal against South Korea was their first in 402 minutes of international football, since Ola Toivonen scored against Chile back in March.

Brazil will look to start from where they had left off against Serbia when they take on a feisty Mexico in a World Cup round of 16 fixture at the Samara Arena today.

Fresh from their 2-0 win against Serbia, the five-time champions will also try to avoid being another heavyweight casualty from the biggest stage following the departures of holders Germany and Argentina.

They will be up against a team who were primarily responsible for Germany's exit from the group stages with a stunning 1-0 win. Mexico might have failed to carry on their brilliant start -- they suffered an embarrassing 3-0 defeat against Sweden in the last group game -- but they have shown the ability to get under the skin of big teams.

Brazil coach Tite said that they would start with the same side that won against Serbia. If that is the case then the return of leftback Marcelo to the starting lineup would be delayed. Marcelo, who suffered a back spasm against Costa Rica and was withdrawn in the tenth minute, however, trained with team at the match venue yesterday. A fifteen-minute window was open for journalists to watch the training session, where Tite was seen enjoying target practice -- he was kicking a ball in an attempt to hit another stationary one.

But emerging at the pre-match briefing he said that he was against starting with Marcelo in the stilling heat, where his side might have to play for 120 minutes. The mercury hit 34 degree celsius in Samara and it might soar to 36 on the match day, which will be really demanding for the players. Yesterday was probably the hottest day that we have come across in Russia. And the imposing iron structure gave the impression that a giant crab was moving through the desert in search of the precious drop of water to avoid cram from dehydration.

Tite, however, said that it was about time to step up against a team who have done exceedingly well against Brazil in the recent past. Although Brazil have never lost a World Cup game against Mexico, their last one was a disappointing goalless draw on home soil four years ago.

The Brazil coach also warned that records would not help his side if they could not show a more improved performance at a stage where they could ill-afford any mistake. The Selecao will once again look to Philippe Coutinho to dictate the midfield, Neymar to complete the recovery cycle and the defence manned by Thiago Silva, who attended the briefing too, to stay solid with Miranda against the sharp Mexican attack.

Mexico, who have already earned the nickname of giant-slayers, can enjoy another big sporting moment in their history if they can win.

France's teenage forward Kylian Mbappe, who scored two goals as Les Bleus beat Argentina in the round of 16 yesterday, brushed off comparisons with Brazil great Pele.

"I'm very happy, and it's flattering to be compared to a great player like Pele," he said.

"But he's in another category. Still, it's great to join the list of players that have achieved such feats."

Mbappe was born in 1998, the year Les Bleus secured their first World Cup title under captain Didier Deschamps.

Deschamps, now national manager, praised his team's character to fight back from 2-1 down.

"If I am a coach it is because I want to live this: a full stadium, highly experienced teams. Our team is much younger, but it's there," Deschamps said.

"We answered the call, we have a lot of character and it was not easy as we were leading, then there was an equaliser, then we were 2-1 behind, but we kept fighting."

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic stated outright what he felt regarding the controversial penalty call following his side’s 4-2 defeat to France in Sunday’s World Cup final, saying : “You don't give a penalty like that in a World Cup final.”

A debatable penalty awarded with the use of FIFA's new video replay system proved a turning point in the World Cup final on Sunday as debate focused on erronous referee calls.

France and Croatia were level at 1-1 in an evenly contested match when Argentine referee Nestor Pitana was alerted to a possible handball ten minutes from half time and, after checking the off-field screen, he decided Croatia's Ivan Perisic had handled. While there is no doubt that the ball did hit the Croatian’s hand, the focus will remain on whether the handling of the ball was intentional.

Antoine Griezmann converted the penalty and France went on to win 4-2. Even after the use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, it remained a highly contentious call. Many former players called the awarding of the penalty a dubious decision with former England and Liverpool defender perhaps rightly suggesting that ‘It’s the referee’s mistake, not VAR! VAR is just the replay of an incident.’

The decisions proved to be a turning point in the match as France’s influence grew following their second goal. Dalic said he thought such a decision had no place in a game of such magnitude.

“We played well but the penalty knocked the wind out of us and after that it was very difficult," Dalic said after congratulating France on their victory. "I just want to say one sentence about that penalty: You don't give a penalty like that in a World Cup final.”

The Croatia coach conceded that his team had let in two ‘soft goals’ but lamented the fact that things did not go their way when they were in a good position to fight for the match.

“We wanted to win the World Cup so much, but that's football," he said. "The French did not surprise us; we let in two soft goals coupled with an own goal and a penalty.

“What we had in terms of luck in this tournament, we lacked today. When you concede four goals, you cannot expect to win the game.”

Neverthless, Dalic went on to congratulate France and praised his team’s effort after they gave a vastly talented French side a run for their money.

“I congratulate France on their title. We played well in the first 20 minutes, we controlled the game. Then there was an own goal from a set play. We came back to life, dominated and then the penalty was given,” Dalic said.

“I have to congratulate my players, it was maybe the best game we played in this tournament; we controlled the match but we conceded. Against such a strong side as France you must not make mistakes. We are a bit sad, but we have to be proud as well for what we’ve done.”

The flags are out, jerseys ready and excitement is at its peak as the world anxiously awaits the FIFA World Cup to kick off in Russia today. It is the tournament where we have the amazing confluence of football's best players coming together in one spot.

Our celebrities, too, are pumped up for the football madness. We caught up with many of them to find out their favourite football memories, and the teams they are supporting or think will win. Predominantly, our stars have their eyes set on two teams:  Brazil and Argentina.

Crowned by fans and critics alike as the “King of Dhaliwood,” Shakib Khan is the model superstar when it comes to the Bangladeshi film industry. Just as he has captured the hearts of millions, there is one football team that has his heart. This year, he hopes that Brazil takes the trophy home. Similarly, star couple Omar Sani and Moushumi are also supporters of Brazil. “I plan to watch the world cup in between shoots with my husband and kids. We want to watch every game – not just the matches of Brazil!” says Moushumi.

Looking back on the days when he used to play football drenched in the rain, actor Mahfuz Ahmed is yet another supporter of Brazil. He says that the world cup season is quite a euphoric time for him. Renowned artistes Afsana Mimi and Shomi Kaiser are also Brazil fans.

On the other hand, Chanchal Chowdhury, who is known among his fans as 'Ayna' or 'Misir Ali' these days, loves Argentina. In his school and college days, Chowdhury often played football. He is excited to bond with his son Shuddho over the world cup this year.

Actor Zahid Hassan has many fond memories of playing football back in his hometown, Sirajganj. He and his wife, renowned model and actor Sadia Islam Mou support Argentina. Likewise, actor Ferdous fell in love with Maradona's style of playing quite early on, and since then, he has been a loyal follower of Argentina.

Popular artistes Monalisa and Zakia Bari Mamo also support Argentina. Mamo, a national award-winning actor, says that she has been a fan of the team since childhood. On the contrary, Shajal says that he will be cheering for Brazil. “I think the Brazilian players are really capable. I trust them fully,” he asserts.

There is another beloved celebrity couple who are on the same side: eminent filmmaker Mustafa Sarwar Farooki and his wife, actor Nusrat Imroz Tisha. Both of them are loyal to Brazil.

Amidst the host of Brazil and Argentina fans, Azizul Hakim has a different viewpoint, as he supports Germany.

Lastly, this world cup seems to be quite disheartening for actor Poppy, as her favourite team, Italy, is not participating. However, she is still really looking forward to the matches. Needless to say, our stars are just as elated as us for the world's most watched sporting event. Let the games begin!