What results does Mexico need to progress at the World Cup?

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What results does Mexico need to progress at the World Cup? image

Mexico may not have provided the same fireworks against South Korea as in its World Cup opener but El Tri nevertheless picked up another priceless win in Russia to move towards the knockout stage. 

Carlos Vela scored from the penalty spot and Javier Hernandez hit late in a 2-1 win that gives Mexico a perfect 100 percent record in Group F so far. 

And having disposed of Germany in arguably the best team performance of the group stage so far confidence is sky-high in the squad. 

Depending on other results, however, the CONCACAF giants may still have some work to do in order to seal a last-16 berth. 

So close and yet so far: this is what El Tri must do to secure their seventh consecutive spot in the World Cup's final phase. 


Failure to qualify Saturday


While there will be plenty of celebrations following Saturday's defeat of South Korea, Juan Carlos Osorio and his charges will be stunned by Germany's late winner over Sweden. 

Germany and Sweden locked horns in Sochi just over an hour after the final whistle for Mexico, and it looked as though Sweden had earned the draw Mexico needed to qualify for the knockout rounds until a stunner from Toni Kroos in stoppage time handed the Germans all three points. 

That result means Mexico must wait until Wednesday to find out their World Cup fate in the last round of games.


How can Mexico qualify on Wednesday?


Germany taking down Sweden left the two sides level on three points, while all four teams in Group F go into Wednesday's final double-header with at least a mathematical chance of progressing. 

Mexico at least knows that its fate lies in its own hands. A win or a draw against Sweden sends El Tri through at the top of their group no matter what happens in the other deciding match. 

A defeat, however, leaves a certain level of uncertainty for Osorio's men, who would have to keep an eye on the result of Germany's final match against South Korea. 

A win for the current World Cup holders would leave all three teams tied on six points, with the tie-breakers goal difference, goals scored and fair play in that order. 

South Korea, meanwhile, could still go through with a victory over Germany, a defeat for Sweden and a favorable goal difference.

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