Mexico 1-1 Poland: What’s your prediction?

Mexico kickstart their World Cup campaign against Robert Lewandowski-led Poland in their opening fixture.

While goals have so far found an easy flow in the World Cup, the Mexico-Poland contest, based on the sides' build-up to the World Cup, does not promise much in terms of goal-scoring.

Wing-play is vital to both sides as the 'El Tri' depend on the likes of Hirving Lozano and Alexis Vega to deliver from wide, while Poland has banked on their full-backs, predominantly Matty Cash to whip the ball in for Lewandowski.

Lewandowski is Poland's record scorer with 76 goals in 134 games but the Barcelona star failed to find the net four years ago in Russia as the Poles exited in the group stage.

Mexico have fallen in the last 16 in the past seven editions, while Poland have failed to get past the group phase in their past three World Cup appearances.

When?

10:00 pm, Bangladesh time

Where?

Stadium 974, Ras Abu Aboud, Doha, Qatar.

Head-to-head

Matches 8

Mexico 3

Poland 3

Draw 2

Prediction: Mexico 1-1 Poland

Possible lineups

Mexico: (4-3-3) Ochoa, Gallardo, Moreno, Montes, Sanchez, Rodriguez, Alvarez, Herrera, Lozano, Jimenez, Vega

Poland: (4-2-3-1) Szczesny, Bereszynski, Glik, Bednarek, Cash, Bielik, Krychowiak, Szymanski, Zielinski, Kaminski, Lewandowski

Following is a statbox on Mexico .

FIFA ranking: 13 (as of Oct. 6)

Odds: 100-1

Previous tournaments:

Mexico have played in 16 World Cups, including the last seven. Their best performances came in 1970 and 1986, when they reached the quarter-finals.

'El Tri' have made the last 16 each time in the last seven editions.

How they qualified:

Mexico qualified second in the eight-team CONCACAF table. They collected 28 points from 14 matches, finishing behind Canada on goal difference, scoring 17 goals and conceding eight.

Form guide:

Mexico have struggled in attack, having averaged one goal per game in their 15 competitive matches and friendlies in 2022.

Following is a statbox on Poland

FIFA Ranking: 26 (Oct 6)

Odds: 100-1

Previous tournaments:

Poland have appeared in eight World Cups, including the last one in Russia - but failed to qualify in 2010 and 2014. Their best performances were in 1974 and 1982 when they finished third. Poland have not got past the group stage since 1986 when they lost 4-0 to Brazil in the last 16.

How they qualified:

Poland were second in qualifying Group I behind England and secured their spot in Qatar with a 2-0 playoff win over Sweden. FIFA gave Poland a bye to the final playoff round after Russia were suspended from international soccer due to the invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow calls a 'special military operation'.

Form guide:

Since securing qualification, Poland's results in their subsequent Nations League games were two wins -- both against Wales -- a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands and three losses, including a 6-1 thrashing by Belgium in June. Striker Robert Lewandowski scored only one goal in the five of those games he played in.