Mexico seek to firm lead

Brazil take on Mexico this evening, with both sides knowing victory will virtually assure them a place in the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup.

The two teams won their opening fixtures of the tournament, Brazil coping with the huge weight of home expectation by overcoming Croatia 3-1 in controversial circumstances last Thursday.

Awarded a soft-looking penalty at 1-1 to move in front for the first time in the match, the hosts also saw their opponents have a goal controversially ruled out when Ivica Olic was adjudged to have fouled goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

Mexico, on the other hand, benefited from perseverance last Friday, as Miguel Herrera’s men twice saw Giovani dos Santos’s strikes wrongly disallowed for offside before Oribe Peralta eventually slotted home to earn them a 1-0 win over Cameroon.

Brazil, with Cameroon to come in their final pool game fixture next week, can put themselves in pole position to top Group A with victory in Fortaleza.

Mexico, meanwhile, with a tricky encounter against Croatia in their final game, will be hopeful to take something from Estadio Castelao to earn some breathing space as they seek to reach the first knockout round for the sixth World Cup in succession.