Mexico will go for the win , says coach Herrera

Leaving aside the remote yet tantalising possibility of Cameroon beating Brazil to allow Croatia and Mexico to advance from Group A with a draw, the likelihood is that Recife will see a winner-takes-all scrap for second place between the sides placed second and third.

With a point more than their opponents, courtesy of their 0-0 with Brazil, the Mexicans know another draw would be enough to see them through, and the glib theory has it that any side capable of holding the hosts and favourites should be able to do the same against Croatia. Yet thinking that way could be dangerous, as Mexico’s coach Miguel Herrera knows only too well. Mexico were indebted to a remarkable goalkeeping display when they shared the points with Brazil, and though Guillermo Ochoa’s stock has risen dramatically since that game, he might not be able to repeat the feat twice in a row.

Croatia have Mario Mandzukic back in the side with Luka Modric available to prompt him, and when at full strength there are goals in the side, as Cameroon found to their cost. Mexico have not conceded so far at this World Cup, which ought to offer encouragement, yet on the other hand they have only managed a single goal in their first two games.

Should Croatia get on to the scoresheet, the feeling is that Mexico might struggle to hit back, which is why some have been campaigning for Javier Hernández’s return to the forward line, yet Herrera says he is pleased with what he has seen so far and has no plans to change the lineup.

“We are not going to think about a tie, our intention is to win,” the Mexico coach said. “Of course if we end up with a draw, we progress anyway and so we would be happy, but if you go into a game thinking about a tie you are most likely going to lose. The idea is to look for a win, stay intense. We know that Croatia has to win, so that should open up space for us. If we know that they have to attack us, we should be able to take advantage.”

The only problem with that theory is that should Croatia score first the roles will be reversed. It would then be Mexico forced into attack, and Croatia might be slightly more adept at hitting them on the counter and finding space behind their defence.

Mexico do not have a great record against European opposition in World Cups – of 30 encounters they have win just seven – but Herrera insists a tight defence and just the occasional goal will stand them in good stead. “Keeping a clean sheet at the back is the most important thing,” he said. “If you can do that you can win with just one goal. There is nothing wrong with that. That’s how Spain became champions.”