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On June 16th, Monday, in their World Cup group stage matches, two teams from group D - Mexico and Angola continued their battles. Mexico started the tournament with a victory - in the first match, they managed to beat the Iranian team with a score of 3-1 only at the very end of the game. Meanwhile, Angolan footballers left the first match with their heads down, as they conceded a goal only at the very beginning of the game and lost 0-1 to the favorite Portugal team. Angolans must win this match to advance to the next stage of the competition.
Group D
Mexico - Angola
Location: Hanover
Time: June 16th, 22:00 Lithuanian time
Predictions
Bookmakers undoubtedly favor the Mexican national team. Their chances of winning are considered almost 5 times better than Angola's.
On the other hand, Angola is on the verge. If they lose this match, they will have to go home. Therefore, we may see something similar to the match between the German and Polish teams: Poland needed to win, they pressed the Germans as much as they could and had a couple of good opportunities to score. However, in the end, the Germans prepared fast attacks and eventually scored a goal.
If Mexico wins this match and Portugal beats Iran, both winners secure their place in the quarter-finals.
Head-to-head matches
This will be the first-ever match between these national teams.
First matches
Mexico: After a tough battle, the Iranian team was defeated. Both teams scored goals in the 28th and 36th minutes. The tough battle continued until the 76th minute when the Mexican Omar Bravo scored for the second time. After this goal, Iran finally collapsed and conceded another goal three minutes later. Although there was no clear Mexican dominance in the game, Mexico celebrated a victory.
Angola: The goal by the Portuguese player Pauleta in the 4th minute was the first and only goal of the match. Although Portugal had a greater or lesser advantage for most of the game, Angola also did not give up and created several dangerous attacks.
Opinions
Mexico
Ricardo Lavolpe's biggest headache is undoubtedly the injury of striker Jared Borgetti. However, Francisco Fonseca, who replaced him and made a productive pass to a teammate, said he is confident.
"This decision depends on the coach, but I am prepared anyway." - said the striker. - "I am ready, no matter what he decides - five minutes, ten minutes, or the whole game."
"I am satisfied with the team's start at the World Cup, I am happy that my team won. And that I was on the field for both goals, it was a coincidence." - added the striker.
Angola
Angola's coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves said he wants his team to show what they are really worth in the match against Mexico.
"My boys played with pride, although we are a humble team" - the coach boasted. - "I know Mexico is strong, but we will try not to be weak opponents."
Goalkeeper Joao Ricardo added that a fairly good performance against the Portuguese team gave the team extra strength to prepare for the match against the Mexicans: "Although we lost, our game (against Portugal) gave us confidence. I think we will be ambitious and well set up for the match against Mexico."
Meanwhile, the only Angolan striker in the match against Portugal, Fabrice Akwa, said he would like to have a partner next to him in the attack.
"We have Pedro Manuel Matorras, Amado Flavio, Andre Titi Buengo, Arsenio Love, Andre Mateus. I don't care who he will be." - stated Akwa.
Injuries
Mexico: Jared Borgetti's future is still unclear. The player suffered an Achilles tendon injury in the match against Iran and was replaced by Francisco Fonseca in the first half. However, the injury is serious, so Borgetti will likely miss this match.
Angola: Although there were talks about Akwa not appearing in the match, it seems that the striker will still take to the field.
Predicted starting lineups
Mexico: Sanchez; Mendez, Marquez, Osorio, Salcido; Pineda, Perez, Zinha, Pardo; Franco, Bravo.
Angola: Ricardo; Loco, Jamba, Kali, Delgado; Ze Kalanga, Macanga, Figueiredo, Mateus; Mendonca, Akwa.
