World Cup 2014: Croatia vs Mexico match preview

A look ahead to the Group A qualification decider

Konstantinos Lianos

Tuesday 24 June 2014 15:47 BST

Mexico's goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa saves an attempt at goal during a Group A football match between Brazil and Mexico in the Castelao Stadium in Fortaleza (Getty Images)

Croatia are set to clash with Mexico in what promises to be a very exciting match in Recife as the European side need a win to advance to the Round of 16 whereas the Mexicans are seeking the three points that could see them finish above Brazil should the hosts slip against Cameroon.

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Both teams will enter the field with their confidence sky-high as Mexico managed to get a result against the hosts and World Cup favourites last week thanks to a sensational performance by goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. The 28-year-old will definitely be starting under the bar and there is also a great chance that manager Miguel Herrera will add Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez to the mix - the 26-year-old came from the bench in both previous fixtures.

It is all hands on deck for Niko Kovac’s team who seem to have got a huge boost with the addition of their star striker Mario Mandzukic who scored twice against Cameroon last week. The Bayern Munich player will be starting up front in what is likely to be an identical line-up to last time, with captain Darijo Srna, who is also the most capped player in the team, picking up his 116th appearance for the Blazers.

KICK-OFF: Monday, 9pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Croatia 0 Mexico 1 (Blanco), World Cup, June 2002

Croatia 2 (Biscan, Simic) Mexico 1 (Hernandez), International Friendly, June 1999

Croatia 3 (Suker 2, Racunica) Mexico 0, International Friendly, October 1992

STATS…

Last week’s hero for Mexico Guillermo Ochoa unbelievably enough is a free agent at the moment.

Striker Oribe Peralta has scored nine goals in his last eight official international appearances.

Bayern Munich’s Mario Mandzukic has scored seven headers this past season. This is more than any other player in the top five European leagues.

Croatia won their first World Cup match last week for 12 years.

World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

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1/14World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

Cristiano Ronaldo

The world's best player has never been afraid of rocking some perfectly coiffed barnets, but this one looks as if his barber dropped the clippers mid-shave - however a story later emerged on Twitter that said Ronaldo had shaved the zig-zag in his hair as a show of solidarity for a child who had brain surgery. The Portuguese footed the £50,000 surgery for Erik Ortiz Cruz to have an operation in March.

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World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

Nani

Nani has always been ridiculed by his Manchester United team-mates for being in awe of Ronaldo, and now that he's chosen to copy his former club team-mate by shaving something into his hair will only provide more material for the banter.

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World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

Marouane Fellaini

A long favourite of hair-based galleries for a long time, Marouane Fellain's mop still looks awful. At least it has a decent story behind it - it's a nod to his father, who sported one when he was younger.

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World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

Néstor Pitana

Argentinian referee Nestor Pitana needs to lose only about four hair-strands before he takes Sir Bobby Charlton's crown as having the best (worst) comb over.

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World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

Raul Meireles

A man who wouldn't look out of place with the hipster crowd of east London, Ronaldo's team-mate Raul Meireles has the best beard of the World Cup. He needs to spend more time on his hair, though.

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World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

Luka Modric

Not a particularly bad cut but the Croatian playmaker looked much better with the flowing blond hair we all knew and loved.

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World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

Dani Alves

Dani Alves clearly opted for the wrong shade of highlighter. Instead of going for blond it looks as if the Brazil full back has picked up grey.

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World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

Neymar haircut

The most famous man in Brazil's hair is all over the place. Up at the front, shaved at the sides, terrible blond highlights... a mess.

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World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

David Luiz

The third Brazilian in this list sent this internet into a spin with rumours he had chopped off his famous locks, David Luiz emerged with his curly head of hair in tact. A living, breathing Sideshow Bob.

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World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

Asamoah Gyan

It's a rare moment when a striker wears the No 3 shirt, but Asamoah Gyan is so close to the number he decided to get it imprinted with blond highlights in the side of his head. If only Ghana could have found a third against the Germans.

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World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

Luis Nani

Another to sport have his number shaved into the side of his head, Portugal and Manchester United winger Luis Nani opted to have the No 17 bordered by a star.

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World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

Benoit Assou-Ekotto

We're not sure if the hairband at the front of Benoit Assou-Ekotto's hair is to stop his afro getting in his eyes, or to protect his forehead when he decides to butt his Cameroon team-mates.

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World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

Paul Pogba

The coveted French midfielder has gone a bit over the top with the highlighter. Not content with adding a bit of colour to his mohican, Pogba has also added blond streaks to the side of his head and shaved various parts.

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World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

Kyle Beckerman

USA midfielder Kyle Beckerman might be summoning his inner Bob Marley with these long dreadlocks, but it's not working.

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ODDS…

Croatia to win: 13.8

Mexico to win: 9.5

Draw: 12.5

TV: Live on ITV at 9pm

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