Mexico will face South Korea in a crucial World Cup Group A match at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara.
Both teams enter the fixture with three points each after winning their opening games.
>>> Messi Hat Trick Powers Argentina Past Algeria in World Cup Opener
Mexico defeated South Africa, while South Korea overcame Czechia in their first group matches.
The winner of this encounter will take a significant step toward advancing to the knockout stage.
Defensive Changes for Mexico
Mexico's lineup will see defensive adjustments due to the suspension of central defender Cesar Montes. Edson Alvarez is expected to replace him in the backline.
Manager Javier Aguirre downplayed the importance of finishing first in the group. "We're not obsessed with finishing first in the group," Aguirre said.
The manager emphasized that the team's focus is solely on the upcoming match.
"Right now, the only thing we're focused on is the match against South Korea," he added.
Aguirre also dismissed any significance from Mexico's previous 2-0 friendly win over the United States at the same venue in 2024.
>>> Shohei Ohtani's Solo Homer Lifts Dodgers to 1-0 Win Over Rays
"It's not important, nor is it our priority," he stated.
This will be the third World Cup meeting between Mexico and South Korea. Mexico has won both prior encounters, in 1998 and 2018.
"We'll try to be better than South Korea, take it one step at a time, and see what the future holds for us," Aguirre said.
South Korea's Key Threat
South Korea's main attacking threat is Feyenoord midfielder Hwang In-beom. He scored the equalizer and provided an assist in his team's comeback win against Czechia.
Mexican midfielders Álvaro Fidalgo and Brian Gutiérrez, along with attackers Raúl Jiménez and Julián Quiñones, are key figures in the squad rotation.
Aguirre is finalizing his starting lineup for the match.
>>> Mariners Reinstate Cal Raleigh, JP Crawford from IL; Arozarena to IL
"Ambitions and dreams have no limits," Aguirre said, expressing his team's mindset ahead of the critical group stage clash.
