When Mexico and Brazil step on the field Saturday for the Gold Medal match, both squads will be battling for their first ever chance at Gold. For coming days, we will take a look at each squad in every area of the field to see which squad holds the edge.
Schedule: Both teams are set to square off on Saturday August 11 at 10 a.m. EDT
Defense has played different factors for both teams. One team has been consistently good on the back end while the other's faulty defense has been covered up by a dynamic offense.
Mexico
Mexico allowed zero goals against in the group stage, a major reason for their berth as the top seed from Group B. Their defense was tremendous against Senegal despite showing some weakness in the air, but bounced back by shutting down an aggressive Japanese squad.
Before the knockout stages, Mexico's offense was highly uninspired and inconsistent, but their defense was the complete opposite. It has been El Tri's best part of their game from the get-go. They will need to up it a notch against the tournament's most potent and consistent offense.
Key Player: Everyone. There really is not one single Mexican defender that has stood out thus far because they have all player so well as a unit. But the main reason that they are all key is because of the offense that they are going be playing against. Brazil's 15 goal juggernaut will need to be stopped if Mexico hopes to win this one. And there is not just one man that needs to be stopped either. Neymar, Oscar, Hulk, Sandro, and Leandro Damiao are all potent goal scorers and each one needs to be addressed individually as Brazil has proven that shutting one down only opens up opportunities for the others.
Brazil
The Samba King's Defense has been anything but special. In fact, it has been the worst aspect of their game thus far. Five goals may not seem like a lot, but the manner in which the goals have been scored has been the determining factor in judging the defense of the Selecao.
Too many times, Brazil has bunched up in their box, but allowed the opposing offenses to get off chances. Honduras' first goal off a series of volleys was a perfect example of this team backing away from their opponents. The mad scramble that enabled Egypt to score its first goal also illustrates this point.
More fatal is that the defense has enabled other teams opportunities, because the distribution from the back to the front has been sloppy and uneven. It almost cost them a few times against Korea and will cost them against a far more potent and organized Mexican offense.
Key Player: Juan Jesus has been a quiet force in the tournament. His high point was the big save he made against Korea when the score was 0-0. He has been one of the steadier players on the back end for the Samba Kings and will need to continue to do so when the rest of his squad falters defensively against Mexico.
Edge: Mexico. They have been more consistent and better as a complete unit. Brazil has been sloppy and scary to watch at times.
Watch the Preview, Prediction and Live Stream HERE
To Read on Which Side has the Better Goal Keeper Click HERE.
To Read on Which Side has the Better Midfield Click HERE.
To Read on Which Side has the Better Strikers Click HERE.
Read Why Mexico Will Win HERE.
Read Why Brazil Wiil WIn HERE.
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