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Brazil and Mexico are all set to lock horns in the Round of 16 fixture of the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Russia. Brazil started their World Cup campaign with a draw against Switzerland but found their feet in the following games as they defeated Costa Rica and Serbia to top their group.
Mexico had a fairy tale start to their World Cup campaign as they defeated the defending champions, Germany in the opening game and played a pivotal role in Die Mannschaft's early exit from the World Cup. After winning their second game against South Korea, Mexico looked all set to win their group; however, a spectacular performance by Sweden on the final Matchday saw the Mexicans tumbling to a 3-0 defeat and losing out on the top spot.
Mexico have been eliminated at the Round of 16 in the past six World Cup campaigns whereas Brazil have exited the World Cup at Round of 16 stage only once which means the Mexicans would require another historical performance to proceed in this World Cup.
We now take a look at 5 key players who will play a vital role in Monday's Round of 16 clash between two highly talented sides:
#5 Hirving Lozano (Mexico)
The 22-year-old winger made his debut for Mexican senior national side on 10th February 2016 in a friendly game against Senegal, assisting Rodolfo Pizarro in the second goal as Mexico won 2-0. Since then Lozano has made 31 appearances for Mexico and has found the net 8 times.
Lozano was signed by Dutch Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven on 19th June 2017 on a six-year contract. He scored 19 goals in 34 appearances for PSV in the 2017-18 season and won the Eredivisie title.
Playing on the left flank, right-footed Lozano has all the traits of a classic inverted winger. He has great power in his right foot and is an obvious danger in the opposition box when cutting and shooting from the left-hand side. He is quick with and without the ball and has great accuracy while shooting.
At the 2018 FIFA World Cup Lozano scored the only goal in Mexico's 1-0 victory over Germany and in Mexico's second game against South Korea, Lozano provided an assist to Javier Hernandez in scoring Mexico's second goal in their 2-1 victory.
#4 Marcelo (Brazil)
Marcelo made his debut for the Brazilian senior side against Wales in 2006 and scored a goal. He was selected as a backup player in Brazil's squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup but wasn't called up by then head coach Dunga. He was a part of Brazil's 2012 Olympic team where they won the silver medal. He has since appeared for Brazil at all major tournaments and is a vital member of the squad.
He was signed by Spanish club Real Madrid in 2007 at the age of 18 and was immediately hailed by many spectators as Roberto Carlos' potential successor in the left-back position. In September 2017 he signed a new contract with Los Blancos which keeps him at the club until summer 2022. In the 2017-18 UEFA Champions league season he made eleven appearances and scored three goals as Madrid won their third consecutive champions league title.
Marcelo is a left-back who initiates counter attacks and often plays the ball off the ground in order to change flanks. He has the ability to put long crosses inside the opposition box and create aerial threats, his accurate key passes make him a clinical player during counter attacks.
He has appeared in all of Brazil's group games at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and will be a vital player for his side against Mexico in the Round of 16 tie.
#3 Javier Hernandez (Mexico)
The 30-year-old striker made his debut for the Mexican national side in September 2009 against Colombia and provided an assist in an eventual 2-1 loss. He was selected in the Mexican squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and scored two goals in the tournament. He was named as the quickest player of the World Cup as he reached the top speed of 32.15 km/h.
He currently plays for Premier League side West Ham United and scored 8 goals in 33 appearances in the 2017-18 season. His best club performance came in the 2015-16 season with German side Bayer Leverkusen when he scored 26 goals in 40 appearances and was the club's top goalscorer.
Hernandez is a clinical goalscorer and has often been described as a goal-poacher. His off the ball movement, pace and ability to find space inside the box make him an obvious threat in the opposition box. Due to his small stature, he is extremely quick, agile and also possesses good technique.
At the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Hernandez has played every minute in the group stage and also scored the second goal in Mexico's 2-1 victory over South Korea. On Monday he will be looking to break his nation's jinx of getting eliminated at the Round of 16 and cause an upset against South American heavyweights.
#2 Philippe Coutinho (Brazil)
Philippe Coutinho made his international debut in October 2010 in a friendly match against Iran. He was left out of the final Brazilian squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup by then head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. Since then Coutinho has appeared for Brazil in the 2015 Copa America, 2016 Copa America Centenario and was selected in the Brazilian squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Coutinho currently plays for FC Barcelona as he was bought by the Catalan giants in January this year for a whopping £105 Million from Liverpool. He scored 10 goals in 22 appearances for Barcelona and won the domestic double.
Coutinho is a versatile player who can play as an attacking midfielder, second striker and on the flanks. He is best known for scoring from curling shots with his right foot from just outside the penalty area into the top corner of the goal.
He has been Brazil's top goalscorer at the 2018 FIFA World Cup with 3 goals and has scored in all group games. In the Round of 16 fixture against Mexico, he will look to continue his good run of form and take his side to the Quarterfinals.
#1 Neymar Jr. (Brazil)
Neymar had an impressive U-17 World Cup campaign in 2009 which led to legends such as Pele and Romario urging then head coach Dunga to include Neymar in the 2010 FIFA World Cup squad. However, Dunga didn't select him in the final squad of 23 and Neymar made his international debut in July 2010 against the United States under new head coach Mano Menezes.
Neymar was signed by Catalan club FC Barcelona in 2013 from Santos and won eight titles with them in a span of 4 seasons. He joined French club Paris Saint-Germain in August 2017 for a world record transfer fee of €222 million. He made 30 appearances for the Parisian club and scored 28 goals, his season was cut short when he was injured in a game against Olympique de Marseille on 25th February 2018. His World Cup campaign also looked uncertain but he recovered in time to play for his national side in Russia.
Neymar can play as a central striker, second striker, winger or occasionally as an attacking midfielder. He often plays as a left-sided forward for both club and country in a traditional 4-3-3 formation. His main attributes are his creativity, vision, passing, finishing, dribbling and technique which make him a complete playmaker.
His World Cup campaign at Russia hasn't been truly impressive as in Brazil's group games he has only scored one goal and provided one assist. He is expected to step up for his side in the all-important Round of 16 fixture against Mexico and take his nation one step closer to the World Cup glory.
