Mexico and Brazil will aim to continue their preparations for the 2024 Copa America when they clash at Kyle Field this weekend.
The 2024 summer will be a busy period for most footballers, with the next two weeks bringing us two major international tournaments. Two teams that will feature in the 2024 Copa America will lock horns at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, as Mexico and Brazil face off and continue their preparations for the quadrennial event.
Mexico would have hoped for better preparations heading into this summer’s Copa America. El Tricolor faced Uruguay a few days ago in Denver and suffered a 4-0 defeat. That was their second loss of 2024 and a third in their last five games. So, Jaime Lozano has an uphill task to galvanise his squad ahead of the Copa America.
As for Brazil, CBF confirmed the appointment of Dorival Junior earlier this year. The experienced coach is unbeaten thus far in his short stint with the Selecao. However, the 62-year-old has a tall order to restore the South American giants to their pomp after a horrific end to 2023.
The most recent clash between Mexico and Brazil came at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, with the Selecao clinching a 2-0 win to qualify for the quarter-finals. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Mexico
Jaime Lozano does not have any new issues hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Meanwhile, Mexico’s head coach has made a few changes to his most recent selection, with Jesus Gallardo being a notable absentee.
Mexico will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Brazil, with Raul Rangel likely featuring between the sticks. The backline should comprise Brian Garcia, Victor Andres Guzman, Jesus Orozco, and Cesar Montes.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Edson Alvarez and Fernando Beltran in the double pivot. The duo will aim to keep things tight in the middle of the park. Alexis Vega should reprise the no. 10 role, with Luis Romo and Cesar Huerta being the two wide attackers. Finally, Santiago Gimenez will spearhead the attack for El Tricolor against Brazil.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Rangel; Brian Garcia, Guzman, Orozco, Montes; Alvarez, Beltran; Romo, Vega, Huerta; Gimenez
Brazil
Unlike his counterpart in the Mexican dugout, Dorival Junior will line his side up for the first time since March. The 62-year-old has made several changes to the squad he picked in the first international break of 2024.
Brazil’s head coach has dropped Leo Jardim, Ayrton Lucas, Fabricio Bruno, Murilo, Andre, Pablo Maia, Richarlison, and Galeno. In addition, Dorival Junior has lost Ederson Moraes after the Manchester City goalkeeper sustained a fracture in his right eye socket.
Alisson Becker is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Brazil lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Mexico. The backline should feature Danilo, Eder Militao, Marquinhos, and Wendell.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Bruno Guimaraes and Douglas Luiz in the double pivot, with the Premier League duo in excellent touch. Lucas Paqueta, whose long-term future in football is uncertain, should reprise the no. 10 role, with Vinicius Junior and Raphinha being the two wide attackers. Finally, Rodrygo will lead the line for the Selecao this weekend.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Danilo, Militao, Marquinhos, Wendell; Guimaraes, Luiz; Raphinha, Paqueta, Vinicius; Rodrygo
Key Stats
- This weekend’s friendly will be the 30th meeting between Mexico and Brazil, with the Selecao having a superior head-to-head record with 16 wins (D5 L8).
- Mexico have emerged on the wrong end of the result in their last four meetings with Brazil (D1 L3), failing to score a goal during this run.
- Mexico have won only two of their five most recent encounters, losing the other three. The four matches featuring El Tricolor this year have featured the winning team keeping a clean sheet.
- Brazil have won only one of their last six matches across all competitions, with the solitary victory coming over England in March 2024.
- Dorival Junior is unbeaten as the head coach of the Brazilian national side, winning one and drawing one game.
Player to Watch
Santiago Gimenez
The match features many high-profile players, particularly a few who won the UEFA Champions League last week. However, we have zeroed in on Santiago Gimenez as the ideal candidate for this section instead of the big hitters from Brazil.
The Mexican international has become a hot property in the transfer market, with a move to the Premier League on the cards. However, he can do himself more favours by producing game-changing performances in the coming weeks, starting with the match against Brazil. The young striker will be raring to go and exploit some of the weaknesses of the Brazilian defence.
Prediction
Mexico 1-2 Brazil
Both sides fail to inspire much confidence, considering their recent runs of form. However, Brazil will be in a slightly better position, with Mexico down the dumps after receiving a 4-0 drubbing from Uruguay earlier this week.
However, Jaime Lozano will recognise the chinks in Brazil’s armoury to set his side up to take the game to the Selecao. But the Canarinho will also exploit Mexico’s weaknesses at the back, with Vinicius Junior continuing from where he left off in the UEFA Champions League final last week. The Hard Tackle predicts a closely contested affair that should end in a 2-1 win for Dorival Junior and his charges.
