Dozens of countries would be jealous of Mexico’s recent World Cup record, but for die-hard fans of El Tri, another early exit in the Round of 16 would hardly be viewed as a success.
For the last six World Cup tournaments, Mexico has survived the Group Stage and advanced to the knockout round, only to go home with a loss in the Round of 16.
In 1994, Mexico took a 1-1 tie with Bulgaria into extra time, only to fall in penalty kicks. In ’98, future U.S. men’s national team manager Jurgen Klinsmann scored as Germany knocked out Mexico, 2-1.
Four years later, the USMNT made its surprise run to the quarterfinals, bouncing arch-rival Mexico from the World Cup in an epic chapter of the Dos a Cero series.
Argentina haunted Mexico for the next two World Cups, knocking out the Mexicans in Germany in extra time, then beating Mexico 3-1 in South Africa in 2010.
Mexico’s controversial defeat to The Netherlands in 2014 may have been the toughest loss to swallow, though. Mexico took a 1-0 lead over the favored Dutch side into the 88th minute before Wesley Sneijder fired a rocket into the Mexican net after a corner kick.
Just moments later in stoppage time, captain Rafa Marquez was called for a penalty on Arjen Robben, who fell theatrically to the ground just as it seemed he was about to lose possession. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar converted the penalty kick, and Mexico was eliminated.
Mexico comes to the 2018 World Cup with a well-rounded team full of veteran stars (Javier Hernandez, Andres Guarded) and thrilling prospects (Hirving Lozano), and the squad breezed through qualification. Still, Mexico will have to overachieve to make the quarterfinals in Russia.
If the draw plays out as expected, Mexico should have enough quality to go through second in Group F, but that would likely lead to a Round of 16 clash with another tournament favorite, Brazil. If El Tri can somehow find a way to beat Germany on Sunday and take the group, though, a coveted fifth game at the World Cup will be on the table.