Here it is. At 10 AM EDT on August 11, Mexico and Brazil face off for the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics. One team will make history and the other will go home awaiting the next four years for another crack at the coveted gold.
This team is a match of heavyweight soccer countries with neither ever winning a gold medal. For Mexico this is their first ever crack at it. For Brazil, it is not the first try, but it is the most important and defining of their history.
Brazil
Why is this the most defining match in Brazilian Olympic history? Because the squad vying for the gold medal is largely the team expected to compete for the 2014 World Cup in their home country. If these guys cannot win this medal against a third of the Mexican A team, then the press will start to question whether coach Mano Menezes is on the right track with the Brazilians. Soccer is everything to the South American country and this is the first test for a team that has to deliver even more in two years. All the pressure in the world is on Brazil.
Key Player: Neymar. Read more HERE.
Mexico
El Tri has come to the finals in similar fashion as Brazil with impressive matches and a share of frustrating performances as well. But all is well as they compete for their first ever gold medal in the soccer tournament and an opportunity to throw Brazil into the vicious lion's den of the Brazilian press. Mexico has already guaranteed a silver and the most medals in the country's history. The gold will surely be on their mind, but the pressure is not on them to produce. They have already had a successful tournament and a gold would be the icing on the cake.
Key Player: March Fabian. Read more HERE.
Brazil will Win if...
The attack Mexico's defense relentlessly until they break it down. They have the weapons to score from anywhere. However, make no mistake, the key words are "attack relentlessly." Mexico has just as many skills and forces on the offensive side of the ball to make a weak Brazilian defense pay big time. Brazil must possess the sphere and be aggressive at all times.
Mexico will Win if...
They pressure Brazil into mistakes. Brazil's defense is weak and with the likes of Fabian and Oribe Peralta, the Mexicans can scoreat will as well. The lack of Giovanni Dos Santos is a huge blow, but a defensive minded offense can alleviate the pain.
Prediction: This one will go to the wire and will be a classic thriller but it seems that destiny is on Brazil's side. They will squeeze out a 3-2 victory and take the nation's first gold. They will also avoid massive pandemonium from their press.
Read More Previews:
Which squad has the better goal keeper?
Which squad has the better defense?
Which squad has the better midfield?
Which squad has the better strikers?
X-Factors: Players that will sway the outcome
Why Mexico Will Win
Why Brazil Will Win