Czechia’s World Cup hopes are hanging by a thread as they prepare for a daunting final Group A clash against Mexico in Mexico City.
After two matches, Ivan Hašek’s side sit third in the group with just one point to their name. A frustrating 2-1 defeat to South Korea was followed by a 1-1 draw against South Africa, leaving them with plenty of work to do if they are to extend their stay in the tournament.
Mexico, meanwhile, have already secured top spot in the group after back-to-back victories over South Africa and South Korea, becoming one of the first nations to book their place in the Round of 32.
That leaves Czechia facing a difficult equation.
Victory over the group winners would keep their qualification hopes alive, but their fate is not entirely in their own hands. They also need South Africa to take points off South Korea in the other Group A fixture.
Even if they fail to break into the top two, Czechia could still have a route into the knockout stages as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams. However, another defeat would bring their World Cup campaign to an end.
Mexico may already be through, but there is little sign that they will be taking their foot off the gas. El Tri have yet to concede a goal in the competition and have looked increasingly comfortable as the tournament has progressed, edging past South Korea after opening their campaign with a win over South Africa.
For Czechia, the challenge is clear. They must produce their best performance of the World Cup against a team that has already achieved its first objective and is now looking to carry momentum into the knockout rounds.
How to watch Czechia vs Mexico
Czechia vs Mexico kicks off at 02:00 BST on Thursday, June 25, at the Mexico City Stadium.
The match will be shown live in the UK on BBC One. Fans can also stream the game via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
In the United States, the game will be available on FOX or FS1. Spanish-language coverage will be shown on Telemundo and Universo, while Peacock will provide streaming options.
In Canada, World Cup coverage is available on TSN and RDS. Select matches will also be broadcast on CTV, while streaming is available through TSN, RDS, CTV and Crave.
Czechia team news
Ivan Hašek is unlikely to make sweeping changes for a game that will define Czechia’s World Cup campaign.
Despite taking just one point from their opening two matches, Czechia have remained competitive throughout the group stage.
A narrow defeat to South Korea was followed by a draw against South Africa, and while the results have left them facing an uphill battle, the performances themselves have not been far off the required standard.
The bigger question is how adventurous Hašek decides to be.
A draw would leave Czechia heading home, while victory is the only result that gives them a realistic chance of forcing their way into the knockout rounds.
That may encourage a more attacking approach, particularly as they have scored just twice across their first two fixtures.
However, throwing too many bodies forward against a confident Mexico side could leave dangerous gaps at the other end.
Much of Czechia’s hopes will rest on captain Tomáš Souček, whose ability to influence both penalty areas could prove crucial.
They will also need greater support from their forwards after struggling to create clear-cut chances during the tournament so far.
One thing Czechia cannot afford is another slow start. Falling behind to the group winners would leave them chasing a game they simply cannot afford to lose.
Czechia expected XI: Kovář – Coufal, Holeš, Krejčí, Zelený – Souček, Červ – Černý, Provod, Lingr – Schick.
Mexico team news
Mexico have already achieved their primary objective, but there is little chance of complacency creeping in.
Two wins from two have secured top spot in Group A, with victories over South Africa and South Korea confirming their place in the Round of 32.
As a result, Javier Aguirre has the luxury of approaching this match without any pressure on the result.
Whether that leads to rotation remains to be seen.
Mexico have built their success on organisation, discipline and an ability to take their chances when they arrive.
Disrupting that rhythm too much ahead of the knockout stages may not appeal to Aguirre, particularly with momentum such an important factor at major tournaments.
There could be opportunities for a handful of squad players, but wholesale changes would come as a surprise.
The longer the match remains level, the more pressure will begin to build on Czechia, while Mexico can afford to stay patient and wait for opportunities to appear on the counter-attack.
Mexico expected XI: Malagón – Sánchez, Montes, Vásquez, Gallardo – Chávez, Romo, Rodríguez – Vega, Giménez, Antuna.
Czechia vs Mexico stats
- Czechia have collected just one point from their opening two Group A matches.
- Mexico have won both of their World Cup fixtures and have already secured top spot in the group.
- Czechia have scored just twice during the tournament so far.
- Mexico have kept a clean sheet in both of their group-stage victories.
- Mexico are unbeaten in their last six international matches in all competitions.
- Four of Czechia’s last six matches have produced under 2.5 goals.
- Mexico have scored in each of their last seven international fixtures.
Czechia vs Mexico prediction
The Czech’s have at least given themselves something to play for heading into the final group match.
The problem is that needing a result against Mexico, in Mexico City is not a position many teams would choose to be in.
Ivan Hašek’s side have been competitive throughout the tournament despite collecting only one point from their opening two games.
They pushed South Korea close and showed character to rescue a draw against South Africa when their World Cup hopes were beginning to slip away.
However, this feels like their toughest assignment yet.
The biggest challenge for Czechia is that they cannot simply sit back and wait for opportunities to come along. A draw is unlikely to be enough, especially if South Korea avoid defeat in the other group fixture.
At some stage, they are likely to have to take risks.
That is where Mexico become such a dangerous opponent.
The encouraging sign for Czechia is that Mexico have little riding on the result compared to their opponents. Qualification is already secured and there is always the possibility that a few changes could disrupt their rhythm.
The concern is that Czechia have struggled for goals.
Ultimately, though, Mexico look the more complete team.
Prediction: Czechia 1-1 Mexico
